Another ‘triple header’ for RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP with stunning Phillip Island as first stop
This weekend, the 17th Grand Prix of 2024 will be held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia. The fast and flowing circuit is a favourite for many but the usually changeable weather conditions can also bring additional challenges.
After three Grand Prix weekends in a row, the RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP has had a well-deserved week’s rest. Now there are three consecutive Grand Prix weekends ahead again for the team with Australia, Thailand and Malaysia, before concluding the season after another week’s rest at Valencia.
Zonta van den Goorbergh and Barry Baltus come to Phillip Island in good form with the best result in the Moto2 class for the Dutchman. The Belgian unfortunately could not reward a strong weekend with a good result due to a wrong tyre choice. Regardless, both riders have shown their speed several times in recent weeks so it will be important to do so again this weekend in Australia.
Barry Baltus: “I am happy to be back at this wonderful circuit in Australia. I have some good memories there so it’s always great to be back. It looks like the weather will be a bit unstable but I feel ready for whatever comes. I cannot wait to be back on the bike again and perform well. It was nice to be at home for a week and prepare these last three overseas races. I feel ready to have another strong weekend.”
Zonta van den Goorbergh: “After a good weekend in Japan, with my best result in the Moto2 class and a front row, we are going to Australia with a good feeling. I am really looking forward to riding at Phillip Island again, even though it will be a very different weekend with the cooler weather conditions. Tyre wear will play a big role there so it will be a bit of a wait and see how it all goes. I’m really looking forward to getting back to work with the team.”
Jarno Janssen – RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP team manager: “We are back in Australia for the first of three consecutive races. It is always a long journey to get from Europe to Australia but also absolutely beautiful to be there again. It’s an amazing circuit with stunning scenery, even if weather conditions sometimes want to throw a spanner in the works. In the past and also in recent years we have been able to perform well there. I think that will be the case again this weekend with a week’s rest after the good weekend in Japan. Hopefully we can maintain the form of that weekend until the end of the season.”
The race weekend at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit starts with free practice on Friday morning after which the first official practice session will be held in the afternoon. Then the second official practice will take place on Saturday morning after which it will be clear which riders will have to take part in Q1 or Q2. Qualifying starts Saturday afternoon at 13:45 local time (04:45 Central European time) and the 23-lap race will start Sunday afternoon at 12:15 (03:15 CET).