Sunday to forget for RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP in Le Mans
Zonta van den Goorbergh and Barry Baltus failed to score any points in the Moto2 race at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans on Sunday afternoon. The Belgian rider crashed at the end of the third lap which meant his race ended early, the Dutchman crashed on the sixth lap but still managed to finish the race.
Despite not getting the maximum result in qualifying, RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP was looking forward to the Moto2 race in Le Mans with hope. After two sunny days it was cloudy at the French circuit but with a pleasant outside temperature, conditions were still favourable. Zonta van den Goorbergh and Barry Baltus both made good starts and moved up several positions until things went wrong at the end of the third lap.
Baltus crashed in the last corner before start/finish and would have to abandon the battle early on. Three laps later the same thing happened to Van den Goorbergh in turn 8, he was still able to pick up his machine and eventually crossed the finish line in 25th place. This meant that RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP failed to score any points, in the championship Baltus and Van den Goorbergh are 14th and 18th respectively.
Zonta van den Goorbergh – P25: “In the race I managed to gain some positions but unfortunately I lost the front and had a small crash. It’s a huge shame because I think a place in the top ten would definitely have been possible. The positive thing about this weekend is that we were fast at a track where we haven’t been in the past. Compared to previous years we made quite a step forward this weekend. I still managed to finish the race and despite the crash we go to Barcelona with confidence.”
Barry Baltus – DNF: “This was not the race I wanted to have today. I made a mistake after three laps and I’m really sorry for the team because of all the work they have done during the weekend. I had the pace to finish within the top ten but it was completely my fault. We will start from zero again in Barcelona. I want to thank the team for all their work and once again my apologies for making a mistake.”
Jarno Janssen – RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP team manager: “After two positive days at Le Mans this was definitely not the race we had in mind. We were looking forward to a good race but then to see both riders crash is very disappointing. Unfortunately, things like this can happen when you ride at the limit and of course that is what we expect from them. In the end, we can look back on a strong weekend where both riders showed they had the pace for a place in the top ten but again, you have to finish to score points. All we can do is prepare for the next race in Barcelona.”
The next Grand Prix will be held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on the weekend of 24-26 May.