Xavier Simeon produced another impressive ride through the field but was once again left to rue a poor qualifying session at the French Grand Prix.
The Tech 3 rider is yet to start a Moto2 race inside the top 20 so far this season and could only qualify 31st at Le Mans. That deficit proved too difficult to overcome as he finished in 18th place.
The young Belgian is yet to get off the mark in 2011 but doesn't think a points finish is too far away, and expects to be challenging the top 15 as soon as he can improve his single lap pace.
“I am happy that I was able to finish 18th after starting from 31st. Still I hope that we can qualify better in the future so I have a better base to finish the races more in front. I know we have the pace and the potential for Top 15 results and I am happy with the progress we made since the start of the season and I really want to thank my team for their hard work and support they give me. We just need to find that extra bit that takes us to a better starting position. We will work on that in Catalunya.”
Hervé Poncharal, team manager of Tech 3, admits he has been impressed with Simeon's race performances, and also expects to see him making strides as the season progresses.
“Xavier has made good progress since the start of the season and I am happy about that. Still it is tough to catch all the positions when you have to start from so far behind on the grid. His pace is good and he found a good rhythm, so I just hope that he will continue in this direction and show us what he can do when he has a better position for the start of the race. I think he can be in the points at the next race in Catalunya.”
The 2011 Moto2 World Championship resumes at the Circuit de Catalunya in three weeks, with German rider Stefan Bradl leading the way by 28 points ahead of Julian Simon.
