BARCELONA (Dec. 16, 2016) āĀ Two names topped the list in todayās Superprestigio test day at Barcelonaās Palau Sant Jordi, neither of which was American Flat Track’sĀ Brad Baker. Rather, it was three-time, defending MotoGP⢠World Champion Marc Marquez topping the field in the Superprestigio class, and British flat track racer Oliver Brindley at the top in the Open class.
The tournament-style format separates the road racers in the Superprestigio class from the Open class, made up of flat track racers, Supermoto and other dirt riders. American Flat Track star Brad Baker ended the day third in the Open class behind Brindley and recently-crowned RFME Copa de Flat Track Champion Ferran Cardus. Completing the top three in the Superprestigio class was Moto3 racer Marcos Ramierez and Moto2 Champion and current MotoAmerica Superbike racer Toni Elias.
Although Baker prefers being on top of the time sheets, his priority is winning the final race, not impressing with just one fast lap. With only two five-minute sessions of testing at the Palau before tomorrowās Superprestigio, Baker focused his attention on setup.
āI felt really smooth and comfortable in the first session,ā Baker said. āThe track is always best the first session out and grip was really good. As the track gets more and more sessions on it, the less grip it has and the more technical the track gets. Thatās when discipline comes in to play. Itās going to be a very difficult track to overtake, other than riders making mistakes. I try to focus on not necessarily setting the fastest time, but setting consistently fast times; just repetitive laps and working on lines, and focusing on being able to make passes on people.ā
Marquez was quite happy to top his class, but was impressed with the level of competition and knows that it will not be easy to top tomorrowās podium. He too has improved his level and has learned something from the Americans.
āEvery year I always learn something from Brad (Baker),ā Marquez said. āThis year we did another improvement. You see all the bikes are a little higher this year. Everyone follows the American riders and we improve. The lap times are more competitive.ā
In addition to Brad, Marquez thinks heāll have a few other challengers, mainly the top three guys in each class, but was especially impressed with Open class riders Brindley and Cardus. Baker has been training with Cardus over the last three weeks in Spain, and was impressed with the Spanish Championās performance and growth as a racer in those three weeks. Ā Next up for the international standout, Cardus will try his hand at American Flat Track competition in the AFT Singles class on March 16 at the series season opener – DAYTONA TT.
The level has definitely increased for the fourth running of the event, and although itās only an exhibition race, racers are racers. They all want to win, especially Baker, who has a target on his back as the 2013 Grand National Champion.
āAs these guys said, the intensity in the paddock is higher than what itās been in the past,ā Baker said. āItās still friendly, obviously thereās less pressure for the riders because this is a fun event. Itās a fun event for me as well, but Iām a dirt tracker. Every year the pressure gets a little bit higher because obviously the expectation is for me to win. From America, from Europe⦠The pressureās on. But Iām excited. Iām not worried, by any means. I feel good, Iāve got a good bike underneath me. The plan is to win again.ā
World Champion Marquez has the same plans, and would very much like to beat Baker for the first time and tie the American Flat Track racer with Superprestigio wins.
āIn the dirt track race the start is everything,ā Marquez said. āYou need to also be lucky. In the races in the end the guy that finishes in front is the best guy. You need a good start, good speed, good battles, so we will see. Of course I will try but we don’t know.ā
This yearās Superprestigio is shaping up to be the best one yet. You can catch all the action tomorrow on FansChoice.tv in the U.S. market from 12:00 p.m. ET ā 3:30 p.m. ET (9:00 a.m. PT ā 12:30 p.m. PT) atĀ http://www.fanschoice.tv/watch-live/pod_01. |
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