French GP: 250cc Quotes after QP1

1st Álvaro Bautista: 1.38.479 (22 laps)
“We were fast from the start of the session with a full fuel tank and did a great job throughout. At the end on new tyres the other riders improved and we had to fight hard to the end to make sure of provisional pole. It was my best ever lap at this track – last year I did a 38.8 but I managed a 38.4 today. My feeling with the bike is good, everything is under control and I’m happy. I’ve never been on the podium at this track so lets see if, after such a strange start to the season, Le Mans can be the place that the luck returns for good. I’m really fast in T4 so I’m looking to the other sections to make up time.”


16th Héctor Faubel: 1.40.182 (18 laps)
“Today was a tough day for us and a few things came up that were out of our control. First it was a spark plug and then there was a problem with the exhaust pipe, which cost us a lot of time and meant we only got five or six useful laps in. We changed the chassis in both sessions because the bike felt too long but we didn’t have time to compare the results. I’ve never been on the podium here and I don’t feel a particular affinity for the track but we’re here to improve and I think another second will see us in the top ten.”

French GP: Quotes 125cc after QP1

1st Sergio Gadea: 1.43.515 (15 laps)
“The morning started fantastically with the fastest time, but after the free practice session I felt a little off. I was scared that I might not be able to ride this afternoon, but with medication I got rid of my headache. The work today was perfect; not just for the position, but also in the respect that the team keep on working hard and the bike is going well. We seem to have rectified the problems of Shanghai by making various changes, independent of whether we win or not, the important thing is to be competitive, and I’m going to try my best for a good result this weekend.”

11th Gábor Talmacsi: 1.44.769 (12 laps)
“I am a little disappointed, because the start of the qualifying session went well. Then I stopped to change tyres, and the bike’s performance dropped and didn’t allow maximum usage. I came in a couple of times, but we couldn’t get things together and opted for the second machine, with just four minutes left. I hope that it stays dry tomorrow, and then I can look at the top places. The positive thing is Sergio’s provisional pole, as know we have some data to work with.¨

28th Pere Tutusaus: 1.44.416 (15 laps)
“The track is one that I am liking; really beautiful and one at which I’m hoping for points, as in China. I gave my all, but I’m 28th at the moment and I don’t consider that a good result. Luckily it’s just the first go, and we have some more time to work on things. The morning session was the better of the two, we lost some of our feeling in the afternoon. The bike was working well, but I didn’t feel comfortable. I hope to move up a few places tomorrow.”

French GP: Quali 1, 250cc - Alvaro On Top

Pos Rider Bike Time
1. Alvaro Bautista Aprilia 1:38.479
2. Alex Debon Aprilia 1:38.585 + 0.106
3. Marco Simoncelli Gilera 1:38.679 + 0.200
4. Mattia Pasini Aprilia 1:38.788 + 0.309
5. Thomas Luthi Aprilia 1:38.942 + 0.463
6. Julian Simon KTM 1:39.051 + 0.572
7. Manuel Poggiali Gilera 1:39.064 + 0.585
8. Alex Espargaro Aprilia 1:39.184 + 0.705
9. Hiroshi Aoyama KTM 1:39.197 + 0.718
10. Mika Kallio KTM 1:39.360 + 0.881
11. Yuki Takahashi Honda 1:39.446 + 0.967
12. Hector Barbera Aprilia 1:39.544 + 1.065
13. Lukas Pesek Aprilia 1:39.798 + 1.319
14. R.Wilairot Honda 1:39.965 + 1.486
15. R.Locatelli Gilera 1:40.171 + 1.692
16. Hector Faubel Aprilia 1:40.182 + 1.703
17. Fabrizio Lai Gilera 1:40.293 + 1.814
18. Karel Abraham Aprilia 1:40.455 + 1.976
19. Eugene Laverty Aprilia 1:41.056 + 2.577
20. Federico Sandi Aprilia 1:41.200 + 2.721
21. Imre Toth Aprilia 1:41.365 + 2.886
22. Alex Baldolini Aprilia 1:41.626 + 3.147
23. D.T.Pradita Yamaha 1:42.847 + 4.368
24. Russell Gomez Aprilia 1:44.040 + 5.561
25. Chow Ho Wan Aprilia 1:45.918 + 7.439

French GP: Quali 1, 125cc - Sergio On Top

Pos | Rider | Bike | Time
1. Sergio Gadea Aprilia 1:43.515
2. Bradley Smith Aprilia 1:43.614 + 0.099
3. Stefan Bradl Aprilia 1:43.710 + 0.195
4. Simone Corsi Aprilia 1:43.711 + 0.196
5. Mike Di Meglio Derbi 1:43.956 + 0.441
6. Esteve Rabat KTM 1:44.344 + 0.829
7. Pol Espargaro Derbi 1:44.485 + 0.970
8. Joan Olive Derbi 1:44.532 + 1.017
9. Nicolas Terol Aprilia 1:44.603 + 1.088
10. Sandro Cortese Aprilia 1:44.737 + 1.222
11. Gabor Talmacsi Aprilia 1:44.769 + 1.254
12. Scott Redding Aprilia 1:44.974 + 1.459
13. Andrea Iannone Aprilia 1:45.074 + 1.559
14. Alexis Masbou Loncin 1:45.152 + 1.637
15. Tomoyoshi Koyama KTM 1:45.158 + 1.643
16. Raffaele De Rosa KTM 1:45.236 + 1.721
17. Stefano Bianco Aprilia 1:45.268 + 1.753
18. Steve Bonsey Aprilia 1:45.275 + 1.760
19. Daniel Webb Aprilia 1:45.442 + 1.927
20. Pablo Nieto KTM 1:45.541 + 2.026
21. Lorenzo Zanetti KTM 1:45.709 + 2.194
22. Takaaki Nakagami Aprilia 1:45.889 + 2.374
23. D.Aegerter Derbi 1:46.066 + 2.551
24. Robert Muresan Aprilia 1:46.140 + 2.625
25. Marc Marquez KTM 1:46.230 + 2.715
26. Efren Vazquez Aprilia 1:46.271 + 2.756
27. H.van den Berg Aprilia 1:46.376 + 2.861
28. Pere Tutusaus Aprilia 1:46.416 + 2.901
29. Cyril Carrillo Honda 1:47.185 + 3.670
30. Robin Lasser Aprilia 1:47.259 + 3.744
31. Gioele Pellino Loncin 1:47.371 + 3.856
32. R.Krummenacher KTM 1:47.704 + 4.189
33. Michael Ranseder Aprilia 1:47.751 + 4.236
34. R.Lacalendola Aprilia 1:47.854 + 4.339
35. Steven Le Coquen Honda 1:48.056 + 4.541
36. Valentin Debise KTM 1:48.298 + 4.783
37. Louis Rossi Honda 1:48.300 + 4.785
38. Tobias Siegert Aprilia 1:50.021 + 6.506

Sergio Gadea as Fashion Model

Before leaving for the Grand Prix in Le Mans, Team Aspar's Sergio Gadea was interviewed on Tuesday by the Spanish TV channel Canal 9 in a fashion shop in Valencia, presenting different clothes and talking about motorbikes.

The show will be on Spanish TV the coming Thursday, May 22nd, at midnight.

French Grand Prix - Le Mans - Event Schedule

Friday May 16
125cc :: Free Practice 1 :: 09:00-09:45
MotoGP :: Free Practice 1 :: 10:00-11:00
250cc :: Free Practice 1 :: 11:15-12:15
125cc :: Qualifying 1 :: 13:10-13:40
MotoGP :: Free Practice 2 :: 13:55-14:55
250cc :: Qualifying 1 :: 15:10-15:55

Saturday May 17
125cc :: Free Practice 2 :: 09:00-09:45
MotoGP :: Free Practice 3 :: 10:00-11:00
250cc :: Free Practice 2 :: 11:15-12:15
125cc :: Qualifying 2 :: 13:10-13:40
MotoGP :: Qualifying 1 :: 13:55-14:55
250cc :: Qualifying 2 :: 15:10-15:55

Sunday May 18
125cc :: Warm-Up :: 08:40-09:00
250cc :: Warm-Up :: 09:10-09:30
MotoGP :: Warm-Up :: 09:40-10:05
125cc :: Race :: 11:00-11:45
250cc :: Race :: 12:15-13:00
MotoGP :: Race :: 14:00-15:00


(*All times local)

Video: Master Cadena Commercial

A commercial for Team Aspar's sponsor Master Cadena with Alvaro Bautista, Hector Faubel, Sergio Gadea, Gabor Talmacsi and Jorge Martinez.

Video: Training Sergio & Pere

This is a training video with Bancaja Aspar riders Sergio Gadea & Pere Tutusaus as well as Nico Terol from the Jack & Jones WRB Team.
The video shows the riders training with Rafa, the trainer you already saw in the previous profile of Sergio Gadea.

Mapfre, Bautista & Faubel at MotOH!

Thanks to our top newshound stv21 for the update that Alvaro Bautista and Hector Faubel visited the MotOH!, the motor-fair in Barcelona on Friday evening. Other MotoGP riders have also been present at the event so far - such as Lorenzo, Olive, Espargaro, Debon, Barbera, and so-on, and Mapfre has a stand at there.
If there's more news, quotes or pics we'll bring them to you.
You can also get more general information from the official even site, here...

Chinese GP - 250cc - Quotes

Héctor Faubel:
"This morning the weather changed, making it a wet race, so we decided to use a softer setting. The first ten laps saw me move up to seventh with Pasini and Aoyama, but when the track began to dry then my tyre started going off as expected. Overall it has been a good weekend, because we finished in the top ten. It could have gone better, but I’m thinking of France and the next step."

Álvaro Bautista:
"This wasn’t what we were expecting from this race. We dominated the practice sessions and were the stronger team over the weekend. This morning in the wet warmup I was comfortable, and in the race I put myself in the lead, but the wet is a lottery and this time it was my turn to lose out I suppose. It’s a pity, because I was sure that we could have done well, it was just a case of losing the front and being unable to avoid the crash. I was able to get four points. My team and Aprilia are doing a great job, and I feel strong on the bike. I just have to hope that we are a bit luckier in the future."

Chinese GP - 125cc - Quotes

Gabor Talmacsi:
“This morning in the warmup I had a good feeling in the wet, and I was convinced that I could win today. Iannone was faster than me when the temperatures began to rise. I wasn't sure then if the engine would last out. I could have made a move on Mike but I decided against taking the risk, and I was just praying on the last three laps that I'd be able to get to the line. I think that in these conditions the podium is very important for Bancaja Aspar, and this weekend my bike was perfect. We have returned to being competitive, which is important for the championship.” 

Pere Tutusaus:
“I had a great first lap, and I'm happy to see that the practice sessions are bearing fruit. The warmup was more difficult than I thought, but I was eager. We didn't hav the exact wet setting needed, but even so this result is very good and I perhaps could have been in the top thirteen with a better fine tuning. I am very satisfied and will keep making goals.” 

Sergio Gadea:
“My team did an excellent job all weekend, so I can't blame them at all. I had a good start and was up with the top five, but I had a bike problem before the first lap had finished. I always give my all, so when everything is together I do a good jo. It’s a pity to have not been able to rejoin the race. Now I’m going to put this behind me and focus on France.”

Video: Profile Sergio Gadea

After his stunning victory in the first race of the season, riding with a dislocated collarbone, the Spanish TV show "Paddock GP" featured Sergio Gadea in a short profile, visiting the 125cc Bancaja Aspar rider at home and filming him during training.

Chinese GP - 250cc - Results

CLASSIFIED:

Pos | Rider | Bike | Time
1. Mika Kallio KTM 48:12.217
2. Hiroshi Aoyama KTM + 3.238
3. Mattia Pasini Aprilia + 13.811
4. Marco Simoncelli Gilera + 18.474
5. Alex Debon Aprilia + 21.066
6. Hector Barbera Aprilia + 25.158
7. Yuki Takahashi Honda + 29.99
8. R. Wilairot Honda + 39.871
9. Aleix Espargaro Aprilia + 48.344
10. Hector Faubel Aprilia + 55.47
11. R. Locatelli Gilera + 55.832
12. Alvaro Bautista Aprilia +1:00.442
13. Eugene Laverty Aprilia +1:00.732
14. Fabrizio Lai Gilera +1:36.975
15. D.T. Pradita Yamaha +1:37.080
16. Imre Toth Aprilia +1:45.018
17. Russell Gomez Aprilia +2:13.718


NOT CLASSIFIED/RETIREMENTS:

Rider | Bike | On lap
Alex Baldolini Aprilia 14
Julian Simon KTM 5
Thomas Luthi Aprilia 5
Karel Abraham Aprilia 4
Lukas Pesek Aprilia 2
Manuel Poggiali Gilera 0

FASTEST LAP: Kallio, 2:15.834 on lap 19

Chinese GP - 125cc - Results

CLASSIFIED:

Pos | Rider | Bike | Time
1. Andrea Iannone Aprilia 46:02.275
2. Mike Di Meglio Derbi + 3.355
3. Gabor Talmacsi Aprilia + 3.451
4. Pol Espargaro Derbi + 14.028
5. Stefan Bradl Aprilia + 23.853
6. Joan Olive Derbi + 31.962
7. Michael Ranseder Aprilia + 33.758
8. Nicolas Terol Aprilia + 34.696
9. Raffaele De Rosa KTM + 34.838
10. Efren Vazquez Aprilia + 41.011
11. Esteve Rabat KTM + 41.139
12. Marc Marquez KTM + 43.677
13. Tomoyoshi Koyama KTM + 53.489
14. Steve Bonsey Aprilia + 54.462
15. Pere Tutusaus Aprilia + 58.706
16. Sandro Cortese Aprilia + 59.454
17. D. Agerter Derbi +1:10.704
18. Louis Rossi Honda +1:47.918
19. H. van den Berg Aprilia +1:50.406


NOT CLASSIFIED/RETIREMENTS:

Rider | Bike | On lap
R. Krummenacher KTM 16
Scott Redding Aprilia 15
Lorenzo Zanetti KTM 11
Daniel Webb Aprilia 10
Robert Muresan Aprilia 9
Alexis Masbou Loncin 9
Robin Lasser Aprilia 7
R. Lacalendola Aprilia 7
Bradley Smith Aprilia 6
Simone Corsi Aprilia 5
Takaaki Nakagami Aprilia 4
Sergio Gadea Aprilia 1

FASTEST LAP: Ranseder, 2:23.432 on lap 19

Chinese GP: Post-Qualifying Quotes 125cc

Gabor Talmacsi
"The front row is a very positive result. I can start from a great position if I get off the line well, and the bike is working good. We're not perfect yet, but we're on the right track and we think that some warm up modifications will help us on our way. My main goal for tomorrow will be to get on the podium, but we have to bear in mind that there are lots of hungry young riders out there. The times aren't as fast as last year, but everyone is bunched together and I will give my all as always, whilst remaining calm.

Sergio Gadea
"I am happy because we aren't so far off the front. Taking into account how close together the times are, and that we aren't at 100%, this is a good result. Everybody is working hard, and we will try some more things tomorrow, so I'm calm. You can go a second faster round here, but I was out on my own without drafting, so I didn't benefit from that. The results will reflect the maximum effort that I put in at every race".

Pere Tutusaus
"I'm very happy, because we took my best grid position to date at a track that I wasn't familiar with. Time on the Playstation helped me a lot before the weekend, and it's through that that I got to know the track. The team have been working really hard and we were able to lower our times, We've been steadily improving all weekend, and I think that we can have an excellent race. I'm highly motivated and my goal is a top thirteen placing. That way I will get points for the first time this season. The first laps are going to be incredible, so I'll pick a good tyre and go for it".

Chinese GP: Post-Qualifying Quotes 250cc

Alvaro Bautista
"I think that we have a good pace and things are pretty clear for the race. Today’s result has boosted my morale, and even if it rains then I feel strong and I’m going to have fun with the bike. The track conditions were worse than yesterday, with more heat and humidity, so I am very happy even though we could have gone faster. I wasn’t able to pick up the pace with so many people waiting for a draft. If the race is dry then we have the pace, so my intention will be to go at 100% and ride on my own, as it is in the wet."

Hector Faubel
"We did possibly our best work of the season so far this weekend. It’s a pity that we weren’t able to get on the second row, so it leaves a bittersweet taste not to have been up at the front. It seemed like the session had finished three minutes early! There were so many riders going round slowly. Tomorrow I will go all-out to get amongst the group, and to keep up my pace."

Chinese GP - 250cc - Final Qualifying

Pos  Rider             Bike        Time
1.  Alvaro Bautista   Aprilia     2:04.882
2.  Hector Barbera    Aprilia     2:05.317  + 0.435
3.  Mika Kallio       KTM         2:05.402  + 0.520
4.  Julian Simon      KTM         2:05.651  + 0.769
5.  Marco Simoncelli  Gilera      2:05.724  + 0.842
6.  Thomas Luthi      Aprilia     2:05.853  + 0.971
7.  Mattia Pasini     Aprilia     2:06.119  + 1.237
8.  Manuel Poggiali   Gilera      2:06.192  + 1.310
9.  R. Locatelli      Gilera      2:06.216  + 1.334
10.  Yuki Takahashi    Honda       2:06.245  + 1.363
11.  Hiroshi Aoyama    KTM         2:06.276  + 1.394
12.  Alex Debon        Aprilia     2:06.279  + 1.397
13.  Hector Faubel     Aprilia     2:06.283  + 1.401
14.  Lukas Pesek       Aprilia     2:06.428  + 1.546
15.  Aleix Espargaro   Aprilia     2:06.559  + 1.677
16.  Fabrizio Lai      Gilera      2:07.083  + 2.201
17.  Karel Abraham     Aprilia     2:07.101  + 2.219
18.  R. Wilairot       Honda       2:07.114  + 2.232
19.  Eugene Laverty    Aprilia     2:07.665  + 2.783
20.  Alex Baldolini    Aprilia     2:09.063  + 4.181
21.  D.T. Pradita      Yamaha      2:10.254  + 5.372
22.  Imre Toth         Aprilia     2:10.509  + 5.627
23.  Russell Gomez     Aprilia     2:11.624  + 6.742

Chinese GP - 125cc - Final Qualifying

Pos | Rider | Bike | Time
1. Bradley Smith Aprilia 2:12.364
2. Nicolas Terol Aprilia 2:12.392 + 0.028
3. Mike Di Meglio Derbi 2:12.905 + 0.541
4. Gabor Talmacsi Aprilia 2:13.012 + 0.648
5. Andrea Iannone Aprilia 2:13.147 + 0.783
6. Joan Olive Derbi 2:13.149 + 0.785
7. Pol Espargaro Derbi 2:13.173 + 0.809
8. Stefan Bradl Aprilia 2:13.184 + 0.820
9. Sergio Gadea Aprilia 2:13.262 + 0.898
10. Daniel Webb Aprilia 2:13.335 + 0.971
11. Simone Corsi Aprilia 2:13.404 + 1.040
12. Sandro Cortese Aprilia 2:13.436 + 1.072
13. Pablo Nieto KTM 2:13.744 + 1.380
14. D. Agerter Derbi 2:13.762 + 1.398
15. Raffaele De Rosa KTM 2:13.800 + 1.436
16. Stefano Bianco Aprilia 2:13.845 + 1.481
17. Steve Bonsey Aprilia 2:13.947 + 1.583
18. Takaaki Nakagami Aprilia 2:14.031 + 1.667
19. Michael Ranseder Aprilia 2:14.180 + 1.816
20. Efren Vazquez Aprilia 2:14.561 + 2.197
21. Pere Tutusaus Aprilia 2:14.629 + 2.265
22. Marc Marquez KTM 2:14.796 + 2.432
23. Esteve Rabat KTM 2:14.830 + 2.466
24. Scott Redding Aprilia 2:15.092 + 2.728
25. Tomoyoshi Koyama KTM 2:15.122 + 2.758
26. Alexis Masbou Loncin 2:15.325 + 2.961
27. Lorenzo Zanetti KTM 2:15.721 + 3.357
28. Jules Cluzel Loncin 2:16.153 + 3.789
29. Robin Lasser Aprilia 2:16.362 + 3.998
30. R. Lacalendola Aprilia 2:16.420 + 4.056
31. H. van den Berg Aprilia 2:16.501 + 4.137
32. Robert Muresan Aprilia 2:16.693 + 4.329
33. R. Krummenacher KTM 2:17.034 + 4.670
34. Louis Rossi Honda 2:18.440 + 6.076

Chinese GP - 250cc - Qualifying 1

Pos | Rider | Bike | Time
1. Alvaro Bautista Aprilia 2:05.035
2. Mika Kallio KTM 2:05.402 + 0.367
3. Hector Barbera Aprilia 2:05.531 + 0.496
4. Thomas Luthi Aprilia 2:05.853 + 0.818
5. Mattia Pasini Aprilia 2:06.119 + 1.084
6. Julian Simon KTM 2:06.238 + 1.203
7. Marco Simoncelli Gilera 2:06.337 + 1.302
8. Hector Faubel Aprilia 2:06.675 + 1.640
9. Hiroshi Aoyama KTM 2:06.684 + 1.649
10. Yuki Takahashi Honda 2:06.958 + 1.923
11. Manuel Poggiali Gilera 2:07.179 + 2.144
12. Lukas Pesek Aprilia 2:07.213 + 2.178
13. Alex Debon Aprilia 2:07.316 + 2.281
14. R. Locatelli Gilera 2:07.349 + 2.314
15. Aleix Espargaro Aprilia 2:07.831 + 2.796
16. R. Wilairot Honda 2:07.885 + 2.850
17. Karel Abraham Aprilia 2:08.284 + 3.249
18. Eugene Laverty Aprilia 2:08.938 + 3.903
19. Alex Baldolini Aprilia 2:09.063 + 4.028
20. Imre Toth Aprilia 2:10.509 + 5.474
21. Fabrizio Lai Gilera 2:11.716 + 6.681
22. D.T. Pradita Yamaha 2:12.102 + 7.067
23. Russell Gomez Aprilia 2:14.742 + 9.707

Chinese GP - 125cc - Practice 1

PRAMAC GRAND PRIX OF CHINA
125cc Free Practice 1

Pos. | Rider | Nation | Team | Lap time
1 N. TEROL SPA Jack & Jones WRB 2'13.508
2 M. DI MEGLIO FRA Ajo Motorsport + 0.471
3 G. TALMACSI HUN Bancaja Aspar Team + 1.139
4 B. SMITH GBR Polaris World + 1.289
5 S. CORSI ITA Jack & Jones WRB + 1.552
6 S. BRADL GER Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing + 1.576
7 S. CORTESE GER Emmi - Caffe Latte + 1.760
8 A. IANNONE ITA I.C. Team + 1.788
9 E. RABAT SPA Repsol KTM 125cc + 1.915
10 S. GADEA SPA Bancaja Aspar Team + 1.932
11 J. OLIVE SPA Belson Derbi + 1.935
12 M. RANSEDER AUT I.C. Team + 2.176
13 J. CLUZEL FRA Loncin Racing + 2.357
14 P. NIETO SPA Onde 2000 KTM + 2.358
15 P. ESPARGARO SPA Belson Derbi + 2.497
16 T. KOYAMA JPN ISPA KTM Aran + 2.578
17 D. AEGERTER SWI Ajo Motorsport + 2.690
18 S. BIANCO ITA S3+ WTR San Marino Team + 2.719
19 R. DE ROSA ITA Onde 2000 KTM + 2.759
20 D. WEBB GBR Degraaf Grand Prix + 2.868
21 E. VAZQUEZ SPA Blusens Aprilia Junior + 3.113
22 S. BONSEY USA Degraaf Grand Prix + 3.290
23 S. REDDING GBR Blusens Aprilia Junior + 3.567
24 L. ZANETTI ITA ISPA KTM Aran + 3.575
25 P. TUTUSAUS SPA Bancaja Aspar Team + 3.903
26 M. MARQUEZ SPA Repsol KTM 125cc + 3.911
27 A. MASBOU FRA Loncin Racing + 4.155
28 H. VAN DEN BERG NED Degraaf Grand Prix + 4.271
29 T. NAKAGAMI JPN I.C. Team + 4.446
30 R. MURESAN ROU Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing + 4.473
31 R. KRUMMENACHER SWI Red Bull KTM 125 + 4.664
32 R. LASSER GER Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing + 5.917
33 R. LACALENDOLA ITA Matteoni Racing + 5.956
34 L. ROSSI FRA FFM Honda GP 125 + 6.542