Strong Argentine weekend without reward for Zonta van den Goorbergh
Zonta van den Goorbergh was unable to capitalise on Saturday’s strong qualifying performance at Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo in Sunday’s Moto2 race of the Gran Premio Michelin de la República Argentina. The RW Racing GP rider crashed in the second lap, bringing an early end to his race.
After an impressive Saturday in Argentina, where Zonta van den Goorbergh qualified in fourteenth position for Sunday’s Moto2 race of the Gran Premio Michelin de la República Argentina, the race day started promising for the RW Racing GP rider as well.
During the warm-up Van den Goorbergh set a respectable sixteenth lap time, which seemed to be the best possible result for the race. Unfortunately, things turned out differently on Sunday afternoon. After a reasonable start of the race it went wrong on the second lap in sixteenth position. The 16-year-old braked a fraction too late in turn two and ended up on the ‘dirty’ part of the track, resulting in an innocent slide and an early end to the race.
Zonta van den Goorbergh: “I think we can look back on a successful weekend here in Argentina, despite the fact that the race did not bring us what we were hoping for. Anyway, I think practice and qualifying went really well, much better than in Qatar and Indonesia. In the warm-up it also went well and all the ingredients were there for a good result in the race. Unfortunately, things turned out differently. First of all, my start was not very good, but then I managed to make up quite a few places in the first lap. On the second lap I was unable to stop the bike properly going into turn two and ended up on the dirty part of the track, losing the front. It’s a shame, it’s a pity, but that’s part of racing too. The main thing is that we managed to make a lot of progress again this weekend. We’re off to Austin now, I can’t wait to get back on my RW Racing GP bike next Friday.”
Jarno Janssen, RW Racing GP team manager: “Yes, what can I say. It’s a pity the race ended so early for us. We didn’t expect this, neither did Zonta. I think Zonta had the speed to compete in the race for thirteenth to sixteenth place. The start of the race was not quite right, but Zonta recovered immediately. A very small and innocent mistake on the second lap, however, was immediately punished and meant the end of the race. Anyway, looking back on the weekend here, I think we can only be very proud. I really want to give Zonta a lot of credit for the way he presented himself here this weekend, he has made a big impression in the paddock. On to Austin, the next race where Barry will also be present.
The next Grand Prix is already on the programme in a few days’ time when the Circuit of the Americas in Austin will be the venue for the fourth Grand Prix of the season, the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, on the weekend of 8-10 April.
Photos: Rafa Marrodan
Source: Racesport.nl