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+--- Thread: MIR AND RINS TACKLE TEMPESTUOUS SATURDAY IN THAILAND (/showthread.php?tid=28619)
MIR AND RINS TACKLE TEMPESTUOUS SATURDAY IN THAILAND - Malcolm - 05-10-2019
![[Image: suzukiecstarlogo.jpg]](http://www.ttwebsite.com/gifs/2018/MOTOGP/suzukiecstarlogo.jpg)
Joan Mir: 8th - 1:30.735
Alex Rins: 10th - 1:30.778
• Joan Mir to start from 3rd row in Thai MotoGP debut.
• Alex Rins close behind team-mate in 10th.
• Team preparing for unpredictable race day.
Saturday morning in Buriram brought extreme wet weather and long delays to the FP3 session due to track conditions. When it was safe to go out, Team SUZUKI ECSTAR’s riders showed very good pace, and Alex Rins was able to set the 3rd fastest time, also featuring in the top three of all sectors on the track. Joan Mir was 8th. Both riders had direct passage to Q2 due to their Friday times.
The riders used FP4 to prepare for final qualifying, and this session went smoothly for both Rins and Mir, 7th and 11th respectively.
Mir impressed on his first flying lap in Q2, putting himself into 3rd place with a decent lap time. The rookie has adapted well to the Thai track, within the Top 10 in all but one session, and closing qualifying on the 3rd row in 8th place.
Rins will start tomorrow’s GP from 10th place, qualifying close to his team-mate. He feels confident with Thailand’s layout and the many over-taking opportunities.
![[Image: AlexRinsBuriramQuali.jpg]](http://www.ttwebsite.com/gifs/2019/MOTOGP/AlexRinsBuriramQuali.jpg)
Davide Brivio - Team Manager:
“First of all, I’m glad that both riders went directly into Q2, that was important. Joan did a great job to qualify 8th, and we’ll see how his race develops tomorrow. It was a bit disappointing for Alex that he will start 10th, but he’s ready to try and fight through the pack. We hope for a good race for both riders, let’s see what happens!”
Joan Mir:
“I haven’t ridden here before, but I feel good. Since my injury the team and I have worked really hard to come back and finish the season in a positive way, and it looks like it’s starting to pay off. We have to work a bit harder in qualifying in the future, but I hope to be able to fight from 8th on the grid. Alex and I are close to each other on times, and let’s see if we can run together in the race.”
Alex Rins:
“I’m satisfied because I improved my lap time, but not by enough. I’m starting in 10th tomorrow and I’m a bit behind the top guys, but there are many over-taking opportunities at this track and it’s possible to make up a lot of positions. Although it won’t be easy because everybody is very close, and if you make a mistake you could lose a lot of places. Let’s see what I can do tomorrow!”
The riders used FP4 to prepare for final qualifying, and this session went smoothly for both Rins and Mir, 7th and 11th respectively.
Mir impressed on his first flying lap in Q2, putting himself into 3rd place with a decent lap time. The rookie has adapted well to the Thai track, within the Top 10 in all but one session, and closing qualifying on the 3rd row in 8th place.
Rins will start tomorrow’s GP from 10th place, qualifying close to his team-mate. He feels confident with Thailand’s layout and the many over-taking opportunities.
Davide Brivio - Team Manager:
“First of all, I’m glad that both riders went directly into Q2, that was important. Joan did a great job to qualify 8th, and we’ll see how his race develops tomorrow. It was a bit disappointing for Alex that he will start 10th, but he’s ready to try and fight through the pack. We hope for a good race for both riders, let’s see what happens!”
Joan Mir:
“I haven’t ridden here before, but I feel good. Since my injury the team and I have worked really hard to come back and finish the season in a positive way, and it looks like it’s starting to pay off. We have to work a bit harder in qualifying in the future, but I hope to be able to fight from 8th on the grid. Alex and I are close to each other on times, and let’s see if we can run together in the race.”
Alex Rins:
“I’m satisfied because I improved my lap time, but not by enough. I’m starting in 10th tomorrow and I’m a bit behind the top guys, but there are many over-taking opportunities at this track and it’s possible to make up a lot of positions. Although it won’t be easy because everybody is very close, and if you make a mistake you could lose a lot of places. Let’s see what I can do tomorrow!”
GP of Thailand - Qualifying Classification:
1. Fabio QUARTARARO Petronas Yamaha SRT 1'29.719
2. Maverick VIÑALES Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1'29.825 0.106 / 0.106
3. Marc MARQUEZ Repsol Honda Team 1'29.931 0.212 / 0.106
4. Franco MORBIDELLI Petronas Yamaha SRT 1'30.431 0.712 / 0.500
5. Danilo PETRUCCI Ducati Team 1'30.522 0.803 / 0.091
6. Jack MILLER Pramac Racing 1'30.597 0.878 / 0.075
7. Andrea DOVIZIOSO Ducati Team 1'30.692 0.973 / 0.095
8. Joan MIR Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1'30.735 1.016 / 0.043
9. Valentino ROSSI Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1'30.741 1.022 / 0.006
10. Alex RINS Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1'30.778 1.059 / 0.037
11. Pol ESPARGARO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1'31.065 1.346 / 0.287
12. Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1'31.258 1.539 / 0.193
13. Cal CRUTCHLOW LCR Honda CASTROL 1'30.969 Q1
14. Takaaki NAKAGAMI LCR Honda IDEMITSU 1'31.388 Q1
15. Francesco BAGNAIA Pramac Racing 1'31.416 Q1
16. Andrea IANNONE Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1'31.428 Q1
17. Miguel OLIVEIRA Red Bull KTM Tech 3 1'31.499 Q1
18. Tito RABAT Reale Avintia Racing 1'31.554 Q1
19. Jorge LORENZO Repsol Honda Team 1'31.605 Q1
20. Karel ABRAHAM Reale Avintia Racing 1'31.773 Q1
21. Mika KALLIO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1'31.849 Q1
22. Hafizh SYAHRIN Red Bull KTM Tech 3 1'31.979 Q1