Karel Abraham (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) didn’t race at the Red Bull Ring in 2016 as he was lining up in WorldSBK, making the Czech rider’s first race at the venue all the more impressive. Straight through into Q2, Abraham qualified eleventh and was fighting for P12 on the final lap of the race before just running out of grip to defend his position against Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Racing) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) - coming home P14.
Karel Abraham, P14: “The whole weekend went well, almost too well! The start of the race was not bad but there was some contact between some riders in front of me and I had to avoid them so I lost several positions. I tried to recover, focus and catch Iannone and Kallio, after Bautista passed me. Unfortunately during the race I was getting a lot of siding from the rear tyre, and for the final eight or ten laps it was hard to stay on the bike. Redding and Espargaró were able to pass me easily around the outside on the final lap because I could not push any harder. The tyre was already on the carcass. It is a shame because I could have been fighting close to the top ten. We have made huge progress over the weekend, with consistent lap times, and I am happy to have finished because the last couple of laps were tough. Another two laps and I wouldn't have made it. I want to thank the whole team for their help – two points are good for us but I feel bad because I know it could have been more.”