RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP leaves Italy empty-handed and shifts focus to Assen
Ayumu Sasaki finished 19th in the Moto2 race at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello on Sunday afternoon. The Japanese rider was battling for the final points-paying positions but ultimately couldn’t break into the top fifteen. Zonta van den Goorbergh did not finish the race due to the physical effects of his heavy crash on Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday, the sun once again shone over the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, allowing the Moto2 race to get underway in favourable conditions over nineteen laps. Starting from fifteenth on the grid, Ayumu Sasaki lost a few positions at the start but managed to fight his way back to sixteenth. He rode in the group contesting the points but eventually just missed out, crossing the line in nineteenth place.
Zonta van den Goorbergh had to start from 27th on the grid due to his crash in qualifying, and he made progress in the early laps. However, in the closing stages the aftereffects of the crash took too much of a toll, forcing him to retire from the race.
Ayumu Sasaki (P19 / +15,445):
“It was quite a good race overall. We were fighting for good positions but unfortunately we finished in 19th position. Our race pace was very good and in general I think it was our best weekend so far this year. I am pleased to finish the race but we still have a lot of work to do. We are definitely on the right path so I will keep pushing. Now we look towards the team’s home race and I am very much looking forward to it.”Zonta van den Goorbergh (DNF):
“It was a weekend with ups and downs. It’s really unfortunate that I couldn’t finish the race after all the hard work from the team to get the bike ready again. I think I might have taken a harder hit to the head yesterday than I realised because I couldn’t concentrate properly, which made things very difficult. I gave more than 100%, and I know the effort was there, but of course I’m very disappointed. Both for the team and for myself – we weren’t able to bring home a result despite everyone working so hard.It was a weekend where I learned a lot, both as a rider and as a person, and I’ll definitely carry those positives into the next Grand Prix weekends. Assen is up next which is always special, so I’m looking forward to lining up there next weekend.”
Jarno Janssen – RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP team manager:
“I think everyone is a bit disappointed after today. The aftermath of Zonta’s high-side crash yesterday clearly affected him. He had a hard time staying focused and of course, in those moments you don’t want to make any mistakes, so he decided to come in. That’s the last thing you want, but we have to make sure he’s fully fit for next week—that’s the most important thing.Ayumu fought to score the last available points. The group he was in wasn’t just any group—it included several Moto2 race winners. He rode a solid race in the end, but we need to ensure we make fewer mistakes in the run-up to the race. We’re on an upward trend and need to keep giving him the confidence to build on that.
Next weekend is our home race in Assen, and that’s incredibly important. We all want to show what we’re capable of, and that brings extra pressure for the riders—but that’s something they need to handle.”
The next Grand Prix will take place next weekend, from June 27 to 29, at the TT Circuit Assen. It’s the home race for RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP and the team is going all out, including a special VIP area offering the best view of the action. For more information, visit www.rwracinggp.com/vipplein.