Lydd’s Brad Ray achieved a 20th and 16th place finishes in the first round of the European Moto2 Championship at Portimao this weekend.
Brad arrived at the Portuguese circuit high in confidence after working hard in the pre season test’s, improving the set up of his Vyrus to give him more confidence on the front end.
In the untimed free practice sessions on Friday, Brad worked hard with his team to gain more confidence on board his Moto2 machinery, focusing on the suspension and chassis.
Come Saturday and the qualifying sessions, Brad and his Vyrus Racing team made a further step forward. Brad put in his fastest lap of the session, in the second session posting a 1:49.7, to place him in 25th on the grid.
Overnight, Brad worked with the team to improve the bike and they made further improvements ahead of the races. From the lights Brad got a great start and after lap one he had climbed nine places to 16th. But due to running on a stock engine, he had a lack of power coming out of the corners and down the straights. But Brad fought hard, eventually taking the flag in 20th position.
Race two and Brad made a much better start from the line and was running with the group who were battling for 12th position. Due to the weather taking a turn for the worse during the race, Brad took advantage of the rain and made his way up to 14th, but then the red flag came out and it was declared a result from the previous lap, putting Brad back to 16th.
After the weekend, Brad said: “I’m very happy with the progress of the bike and I’m extremely happy with how hard the team worked over the weekend. For me to be running close to the points in my first Moto2 race is fantastic, I just can’t wait to get back out there.
“I just want to thank all my team and family, and everyone who helped me with this opportunity.”
Brad’s attention will now shift his attentions to the second round of the European Moto2 Championship, which takes place at Catalunya in June.
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