FIM JuniorGP: How American Kids Did At MotorLand In Aragon, Spain

10/13/2024 08:49 PM

From a press release issued by MMR Racing:

BITTERSWEET RACE WEEKEND FOR AMERICAN ROSSI MOOR AT JUNIORGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Rossi Moor’s FIM JuniorGP World Championship Moto2 weekend at MotorLand Aragon in Spain started very well. The first qualifying session ended with Rossi in third position, guaranteeing him a place in Q2; he was then classified sixth, earning the sixth spot on the grid. The opening laps of Sunday's Race 1 saw Rossi run a pace that gave him more confidence with the bike itself and above all Rossi understood the characteristics of the Pirelli tires that he used throughout the weekend.

The race was very exciting and Rossi managed the tires well enough to give him a chance to win a battle for eighth position, which Rossi lost by only 0.055-second.

Race 2 saw Rossi make a very good start and at the first corner he was already in fourth position; after two more corners he moved into third position, passing Mattia Casadei. After a very tight first lap Rossi was still in sixth position and kept his pace. Some of the riders ahead of him were going faster but Rossi decided to focus on conserving the tires in the first half and to then try to exploit that advantage towards the end of the race. In fact on the eighth lap Rossi was in seventh place and running a full second faster than he had been at the start. Unfortunately in Turn 12 on the 10th lap Rossi was forced to brake earlier that he expected to avoid a rider with worn tires, contact became inevitable and both riders crashed and slid into the gravel, fortunately without serious physical consequences.

(Rossi finished the weekend with a 9th place in Race 1 and a DNF in Race 2.)

Rossi Moor: “Saturday was a difficult day for me as it rained all day and I had to adapt to the bike in wet conditions in a very short time, but my place on the grid gave me a lot of confidence for Sunday’s races. In Race 1 I think I did well as it was my first official race with very aggressive opponents and I am very happy with my 9th-place final position. In Race 2 I had a good start and then I tried to find a pace that save the tires and allow me to get to the end of the race fighting for the podium. Unfortunately, on the 10th lap in Turn 12 my opponent braked much earlier than I expected and we touched, both of us falling. I am very disappointed because the podium was within reach. But I would like to congratulate my MMR teammate Mattia (Volpi) for his fourth-place finish.”

Massimiliano Morlacchi (MMR Team Manager): “I am very happy with and for Rossi, who despite his inexperience proved to be very fast. I am only sorry that he fell in Race 2 because he could have really fought for the podium. However, we will continue our work together in Valencia.”

FOLLOW ROSSI MOOR HERE:

https://www.facebook.com/rossimoorofficial

https://www.facebook.com/TheSamurai92

https://www.instagram.com/thesamurai92/

More, from a press release issued by AGR Racing Team:

Teenage American Racer Kristian Daniel Jr. Qualifies 2nd in FIM JuniorGP European Talent Cup

Motorland Aragon, Spain – October 12, 2024

American teenage motorcycle sensation Kristian Daniel Jr. continues to make waves on the international stage, securing his best-ever qualifying result in the highly competitive FIM JuniorGP European Talent Cup. In the sixth round of the 2024 season at the iconic Motorland Aragon Circuit, Kristian topped his qualifying group, putting him in second place on the grid for Sunday's race—a major milestone in his young career.

Kristian's standout performance saw him finish qualifying practice in first position in his group, which consisted of 22 riders. The European Talent Cup, known for splitting its field into two qualifying groups, showcases some of the most promising young racers from around the globe. Kristian's lap time not only dominated his group but also secured him a prime front-row start for the weekend's race.

This marks the best qualifying result for the 15-year-old American in the European Talent Cup, a series that has launched the careers of many top-level racers. Kristian's success is also a testament to the dedicated efforts of his AGR Racing Team, who have worked tirelessly to prepare a highly competitive motorcycle for this round. With part of the weekend run in dry conditions and other sessions affected by rain, the team faced the added challenge of setting up the bike for both. Their ability to adapt quickly and deliver a bike that performed in all circumstances was key to Kristian's impressive qualifying result.

"I'm really happy with how qualifying went," Kristian shared after the session. "It was difficult to finish Friday with such an up and down, but Saturday morning I made sure I reset and went out to enjoy the wet session! I felt really good in the wet and I just carried those same feelings into the qualifying! Overall really good and ready for tomorrow!"

Sunday's races promised to be exciting, with Kristian positioned perfectly to challenge for a strong result. Fans in the U.S. and around the world are keeping a close eye on the young rider, whose potential is shining brighter with each race weekend.

(Daniel finished 7th in Race 1 and 8th in Race 2.)

For more updates and news on Kristian Daniel Jr.’s season, follow him on social media and stay tuned to our official channels.

More from AGR Racing Team:

Moto2 rider Max Toth, of the United States, was left to rue tyre choice and had to settle for P18 on the grid. (He finished 16th in Race 1 and 14th in Race 2.)

"The day overall was really good. In the first session I surprised myself because I've never taken this bike out in the rain. To be that close to the front and go straight to Q2 was great especially given the struggles we've had and four months off the bike (due to injuries)," Toth said. "In qualifying we simply made the wrong choice of tyres but I kept it upright, gained more confidence and I'm happy. It's been a long time since I've been at a race weekend with a smile on my face for this long."

After the races, Toth left Aragon happy with his performance and nabbing two championship points by finishing 14th in Race 2.

"Our pace after the midway point was really, really good comparatively to the front guys we just lacked that jump at the start," Toth said. "I had a shifter glitch in race one which set me back to dead last and I couldn't get my rhythm initially, but I just had to keep a consistent pace which brought me back to nearly within reach of the points.

"We have to be happy because this is the best races we've had all year and I think we have to look at it as 'this is how we're starting, not how we are midyear.' So, it's not a bad way to come back after five months of not racing. It was very tough physically but we will focus on continuing our conditioning to be in the best shape possible for Valencia."

American Mikey Lou Sanchez qualified P3 for Talent Cup and finished 10th in Race 1 and 15th in Race 2.

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