SHARK Grand Prix de France: Zonta P17, Barry DNF

Zonta van den Goorbergh (P17):
“It was not an easy race today. From start to finish it was a big struggle. The start in itself was not bad, but after two or three laps the problems started and it became a matter of survival. It is what it is, from now on the focus will first be on the ‘test day’ we have on Tuesday at the TT Circuit Assen, a test that is not only a preparation for our home race but also a good opportunity to prepare for the next race in Mugello – which is going to be another tricky track for me on the Moto2 machine.”

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Barry Baltus (DNF):
“It was a positive third and final day for me here at Le Mans despite my crash in the second part of the race. My start wasn’t very good but after a few laps I found the right rhythm. I just felt very strong and was even the fastest rider on track the lap before my crash. So all in all, a lot of positive things. My confidence on the bike was just great this weekend, especially this afternoon during the race and I’m just really happy with that. A big thanks to the guys in the team, one day we’ll be on the top step.”

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Jarno Janssen, RW Racing GP teammanager:
“Unfortunately we are empty handed at the end of the race, but despite this I can only say that Barry rode a great race here. It was a pity of course that he lost the front in the second part of the race and crashed but before that he rode a great race and after a bit of a poor start he was just one of the fastest riders on track. So I think we have to be happy with Barry’s progression and certainly Zonta’s as well. It was a long and difficult race for Zonta, but despite this seventeenth place was his best finish of the season. Le Mans is just a very tricky track and when you come here for the first time you have to get to know the track, but there is no time for that during a Grand Prix weekend. It’s a learning process for Zonta and I don’t think I’m the only one saying he’s been doing a great job so far this season. Weekends like this are part of the learning process and there will undoubtedly be more of them. We will now prepare for a private test on Tuesday at the TT Circuit Assen, where we will prepare for our home Grand Prix at the end of June.”