Doha: QMMF Racing Team rider Anthony West rode from 27th position on the starting grid to 20th place in the final Moto2 classification at the British Grand Prix.
The 32-year-old Australian had a good start into the race and gained four positions on the opening lap, but found it difficult to make further progress against a group of fiercely fighting opponents.
Strong on the brakes and on the corner exits, West made up ground on the other riders on numerous occasions only to drop back again due to his ongoing problems with the front end feel of his Speed Up prototype.
After three difficult races in a row, West and his team now take the upcoming ten-day-break from Grand Prix racing as a welcome opportunity to analyse the situation and think of suitable set-up solutions for the latest generation of Dunlop front tyres, but also for the rider to re-focus on the last part of the season, as there are still seven races and seven chances to climb back into the desired top ten positions.
Team-mate Rafid Topan Sucipto had a strong start into the race and put up a great fight in the opening four laps, defending his place in front of two other riders.
On lap five however, the teenager from Jakarta, Indonesia, risked a little bit too much and lost the front braking too deeply into a turn. Sucipto bravely rode on after the incident to score another race finish. After the chequered flag came down, his initial disappointment dissipated in consideration of his improved racing speed that now matches other riders in the hard-fought Moto2 category.
“The race went the way I expected, not very good. I had a good start and passed a few guys, but as soon as we came to the back straight, they passed me again. I passed a few more guys, but on the next straight the same thing happened. This has been the same for the last three races and here at Silverstone it was especially difficult to ride. It was my worst race this year and I need to try to get some of my lost confidence back. I want to try and relax and start fresh at the next race at Misano,” said West.
“I am disappointed, because I crashed and lost my chance to continue to fight with the other riders. It had been a fun race up until turn eleven on lap five, where I lost the front and had a low-side crash. I managed to continue and to get another race finish, but obviously, it was a lonely ride. Other than that, it was a good weekend. I learned a lot and collected lots of useful information. At the next race, I want to batle with the other guys right to the end and score a good result,” said Sucipto.
The Peninsula
