Baltus scores five points for Fieten Olie Racing GP in Malaysia, Van den Goorbergh finishes 18th

In the Moto2 race at the Sepang International Circuit on Sunday, Barry Baltus crossed the finish line in 11th place. The Belgian rider started well and soon moved up several positions. In the end he crossed the finish line in eleventh place, scoring five points for Fieten Olie Racing GP. After a challenging weekend it was a tough race for Zonta van den Goorbergh, the Dutchman finished eighteenth.

After a difficult Friday and a better Saturday, the seventeen-lap Moto2 race at the Sepang International Circuit was next up for Fieten Olie Racing GP on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to a strong opening phase, Barry Baltus made up several positions and got up to tenth position. There he rode until halfway through the race until he had to give up one place. In the end, the 19-year-old Belgian crossed the finish line in eleventh, scoring five points: his first since the Japanese Grand Prix.

After missing out on a lot of track time this weekend it was going to be a challenging race for Zonta van den Goorbergh anyway. The Dutchman rode a strong opening phase and moved up to 16th position before having to surrender four positions on the fourth lap. With a constant pace, the 17-year-old rider rode a solid race and ended a difficult weekend in eighteenth place.

Barry Baltus – P11: “At the end of this long overseas trip and some very difficult moments I am happy to be back in the points. I am happy with my race today, both physically and mentally it was very tough. In general this was a good weekend so we need to continue learning and building from here.”

Zonta van den Goorbergh – P18: “It was a very difficult weekend for us and from Friday we were lagging behind. Yesterday I was able to compensate somewhat with a good lap time in qualifying but due to a lack of track time it was going to be a difficult race anyway. I tried my best to be as fast and consistent as possible but in the end this is not where I want to finish. I really gave everything today, this was the toughest race of my life. There was no lack of commitment this weekend, the team also did everything possible to solve the problems. We have learnt a lot from this weekend and need to take this into the next two races where hopefully things will be a bit more prosperous.”

Jarno Janssen – Fieten Olie Racing GP team manager: “I think we had a really good race with Barry. It certainly wasn’t easy but we are back where we belong. It’s good to see that Barry can now compete again for a place among the first ten. This is good for his confidence after three difficult races.

On Zonta’s side it was a very difficult weekend. Because of some technical problems and two crashes we lost of a lot of track time and then in a race like this, in these conditions, it becomes very difficult. He did his best and fought, then this is the result that comes with that today. We have to build on this and take the knowledge that we gained today with us to the next race.

It is good for team morale that we were able to take some points with us and we will now prepare for the next two races in Qatar and Valencia. We are going into the next two race weekends with a positive outlook.

Finally, I would also like to reflect on today’s historic event with Collin Veijer’s win in the Moto3 class, 33 years after the last Dutch Grand Prix victory. It shows that the new generation with guys like Veijer and Van den Goorbergh is coming and that they are the ones to reckon with in the future. We have a big motorsport heart and as Dutch people it is great to see Collin there on top of the podium. Chapeau and congratulations!”

There is little rest for Fieten Olie Racing GP and the rest of the MotoGP paddock as next weekend the next Grand Prix is already scheduled. From 17 to 19 November, the nineteenth and penultimate Grand Prix of the season will be held at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar.