Simon spoke with Suzuki Ecstar Team Manager Davide Brivio, who said that the race at Misano is all about pace. “The starting position is not fantastic but it's a usual one. The pace is not so bad, there are maybe two or three riders with better - I think probably Marquez, Quartararo and Viñales have better pace, but there's quite a big group with Alex, Valentino (Rossi), (Andrea) Dovizioso. Probably six or seven riders that can create a group”, before adding “with a good start, we can be there in the group and see how things develop."
Speaking about Mir’s return from injury, he said “we're very happy. He qualified tenth, and will start ninth, and for a first race back it's good. We have to try and do a good start, stay with the group, try to follow some riders, and learn more.”
Davide Tardozzi spoke about Ducati’s problems at the Sammarinese circuit: “Sector 3 is a big problem for us, because it seems as if we have no grip on the fast corners, and this is creating problems for all the Ducati riders. This morning it seems to be a bit better, I don't if it's because the temperatures are a bit lower or what. But for sure, we'll struggle in the race."
The Ducati Team Manager spoke about Andrea Dovizioso: "I think it's going to be a tough race for him, but as usual we'll expect him to do something special like in the last couple of races."
Finally, Simon spoke with KTM Motorsport Director Pit Beirer about the team’s best ever qualifying, after Pol Esparagaro secured P2 on the grid: “We spoke about how motocross guys need to make the start and he's ready for that. I'm confident we're going to have a good start. Everything that comes extra today is fantastic. We don't want to get too excited and speak about podium thoughts just because we're on the front row.”
Despite their best chance yet at a podium in the dry, the team are still focused on their long term goals: “I'm still looking long term at the project, I think we did another big step again. This weekend we did many fast laps, it wasn't just this lucky punch in qualifying. I think this is a new platform for our future. You could even see on Johann's bike, even if he didn't ask for these changes, they helped him as well. It's just a shame Miguel is injured as well. It's a long road and not everything is going easy in this class, but we'll keep pushing."
Before adding “I'm happy if we finish sixth, the rest we'll have to see. It's been a long time since Le Mans, where we were already sixth and it looked as if we made a big step. Then we found out later that the track was good for us on that weekend and for our tyre life, because we could race on the soft tyre, but in the meantime we can also race with other specifications. Let's hope we can go with that top race, I think sixth could be our place”.