Moto2 Racing
The British-built FTR Moto2 machines continue to impress in round two of the World Championship at Jerez in Spain and FTR director Steve Bones believes there is much more to come from the Buckingham-based company’s machinery.
Alex Debon, riding the Aeroport de Castello-Ajo Team machine finished runner-up in the opening round of the Championship in Qatar three weeks ago and Bones is confident Debon can maintain that form at his home race this weekend.
Alex Debon says: "Right now the focus is on a wide variety of areas including an improvement to the cooling system, testing the latest swing arm options we now have, improving the balance of the machine for the Jerez circuit and ensuring we get the maximum from the rear Dunlop tyre in Sunday’s race," said Bones.
He continued: "The chassis is clearly working well but we need to continue the development with Alex and his team in the direction they advise. Everything remains very new still so we never know what problems we will encounter as we try to get the machine working in the best possible manner at any given race track."
FTR’s other two machines, running under the Fimmco Speed Up Team banner with riders Gabor Talmasci and Andrea Iannone, continued their improvement on Friday at Jerez and Bones believes they should be able to challenge for honours very soon.
Steve Bones says: "The Speed Up guys simply didn’t get the same amount of winter testing as many of the other teams but Gabor showed his ability with a fighting ninth place in Qatar and I’m sure he’ll be at the sharp end of races soon.
"Andrea is still getting up to speed with the four-stroke machinery characteristics but he’s a Grand Prix winner and I’m certain that will begin to show again soon."
Debon was fastest in Friday’s opening free practice at Jerez with Talmasci second. Iannone ended the day in 27th place in the 42-strong entry despite running off the circuit during the session.
