Mapfre Aspar riders have brief but positive first contact with Suter chassis

On Thursday at the Albacete circuit Mapfre Aspar riders Julián Simón and Mike di Meglio started their adaptation to the Suter chassis they will ride from round three of the 2010 Moto2 World Championship at Le Mans, as the duo rode their new machines at a test at the Spanish track.

Taking the Swiss made chassis out for the first time after the switch from the RSV frame was confirmed on Wednesday, the pair’s work was affected by rain and the private test will now extend into a second day on Friday.

Simón took to the track at 12.30pm local time and completed a single lap before heavy rain forced him back into the garage, but by 1pm both he and Di Meglio were out as the sun started to shine. The pair rode for 20 minutes before again coming into the garage as the rain further complicated their plans, and the team opted to continue its familiarisation with the new bike under dry cover and will work for a second day of testing tomorrow.

“I’m very happy because this test has been scheduled before the Grand Prix (at Le Mans),” said Simón, who completed eight laps. “It’s important to get to know the bike and go to the race as best prepared as possible. I’ve only been able to ride eight laps because of the rain, but the feelings from the bike have been very positive. Despite the rain we worked throughout the day in the garage to better familiarise ourselves with the bike, so we can arrive in Le Mans well set-up. We hope the sun is with us tomorrow and that we can complete more laps.”

Team-mate Di Meglio also battled with the weather to make six laps, and he too made the most of the time in the box to acquaint himself with the Suter bike. “Today was my first time riding at Albacete and I loved it. The six laps I did helped me to discover the bike and the circuit layout, and I hope that continues to a greater extent tomorrow. I can already feel that it is a good bike; it’s light and easy to guide. I don’t know the track so I have no basis for comparison and can’t draw any conclusions, but the first contact has been positive.”