CatalunyaCaixa pilots have started the second half of the season more than positive. For the third consecutive race, Álex Rins and Miguel Oliveira, have scored points after finishing fourth and ninth, respectively, in the San Marino Grand Prix. Rins, in his first year at the World Cup has managed to trace 13 positions and fought to the finish line to get on the podium. Oliveira has always rolled with the front group and finished ninth. Álex Márquez, in turn, has been involved in an incident with other drivers on the third lap and could not finish the race.
A great performance that began to take shape in practice and, especially, in the 'warm-up' for today, in which Rins Oliveira was third and seventh. The pilot Barcelona, ​​who started from the sixth row, in the 17th position, has already up four positions on the first lap and the next turn it was 10 º. Oliveira, who started ninth, was located on the seventh, and he and his teammate have achieved on the first lap six forward group. Rins, with a great rhythm-has come to mark the fastest lap on lap eight (1'44 .043) - has gained his way up to the head of the race, with Sandro Cortese and Romano Fenati. The duel with the German championship leader, has been spectacular, and after an exchange of positions constant, which Rins has reached the second position several times.
In the last three laps were added in the group Luis Salom and Maverick Viñales, starring in a duel of heart attack in the closing stages of the race. The pilot has reached CatalunyaCaixa reach the third position on the final lap, but in the end electric Rins has crossed the finish line in fourth place, less than a second behind the winner, Cortese, and just 37 thousandths of a rise in the podium, who have completed Salom, second, and Fenati, third.
Oliveira, in turn, has finished in ninth place and has added seven valuable points in the overall standings. Thus, the Portuguese up to ninth. Rins, which has gained 13 points today, is fifth in the overall standings. Marquez, in turn, has been involved in an incident with other pilots in the third round, when he was 14th after exit 25 and had to retire two laps later.
CatalunyaCaixa Pilots return to action on 28 September, with the first free practice of the Grand Prix of Aragon, the third round of home.
Miguel Oliveira pilot CatalunyaCaixa, ranked 9th in the San Marino Grand Prix, the 4376 winner, 9th overall with 66 points:
"We went out ninth and finished ninth despite hoping to be ahead. At first we made a good start and over the first few laps were rolling with the second group of career. Later, we contacted the first group and have done much of the race at a good pace. Towards the end, I could not follow the same progression and had to settle for ninth place. We are in the right line of work so I hope that we can improve the result Aragon. "
Alex Rins pilot CatalunyaCaixa, ranked 4th in the Grand Prix of San Marino, the 0974 winner, 5th overall with 96 points:
"I'm happy. It was a pretty tough race and we left very far behind from the grid but we have gradually been entering the race and I could immediately contact with the front group. I was comfortable with the bike and have been gaining positions until I could put myself in the top. We shot with good pace throughout the race but, in the last five laps, we lost contact with Cortese, I think it was largely because the engine eluded us on the straights. Overall I am satisfied. As for the incident with Maverick I apologize to him and his team even though I think that overtaking was clean "
Álex Márquez, CatalunyaCaixa pilot, nc, 20 th overall with 15 points:
"During the 'warm up' we have taken an important step regarding practice yesterday. I was quite comfortable and the race we knew we could still improve a little more. Then I made a good start and despite having started from way back, I made some posts. When was fourteenth, a driver hit me from behind, things that happen in racing, and we had to leave. I hope to make a good showing at the Grand Prix of Aragon. "
Emilio Alzamora, Team Manager:
"I congratulate the whole team and especially to Alex Rins because as we have seen, has done a great race. We must consider the determination with which he faced the race in which is his first year at the World Cup. He's doing a very good season and it's clear that Alex has enormous potential and great ability to adapt to new tracks for him. Miguel Marquez and Alex have started the test with good expectations. Miguel retained the position from which had left while Alex [Marquez] could not finish the race after being hit by another driver. "
