Leopard Racing’s Tech Director Christian Lundberg looks back at the last two European rounds on the eve of the Australasian triple-header, before the ultimate round of the 2017 season in Valencia. Despite the team's star rider, Joan Mir, taking a record-breaking eight wins for the Moto3™ World Championship, the Majorcan will have to manage the next round at the Motegi GP with a six-place grid penalty after Race Direction deemed a manoeuvre on the last lap of his winning race in Aragon to be riding over the limit.
Misano and Aragon were two big moments for the championship ...
Christian Lundberg: "Our strategy has rewarded us: we went to attack in all the races to win them and despite the fact that it was not always possible to do so, there have been eight wins so far! Joan was superb! He has made the last laps intense, especially for us who are in the box! Now the advantage has really grown. We will try to make (it) a good race in Japan, although I think Joan wants to win there, because this is his mentality! We hope we can win at least one of the remaining four rounds, and maybe we can win a World Champion with a win!"
How do you judge Polanco's performance, in replacing Loi?
CL: "We hope Polanco can take advantage of his experience as a wild card, remembering the lessons learned during the Aragon GP, to head straight to his first podium in the CEV, adapting to the bike and improving his riding style."
Will we see the Belgian in action in Japan? How is he?
CL: "We are happy that Livio comes back and will run with us gain, hopefully he finishes the season in a dignified manner because in the last races before his injury we had found the right direction and he was starting to go really strong."
Now you enter the season finale, with the triple Asian trip: what do you expect?
CL: "Exactly, the first stage is in Japan. Motegi is a particular circuit, made of sudden turns and maneuverers that suits Joan's riding style. The track should also be suitable for Livio, given his low weight and strong acceleration. After Valencia will end the professional relationship between Leopard Racing and Joan, who will go to Moto2, but we will all continue to follow him with so much affection!"