20 August 2022 – Red Bull Ring – Spielberg – Austria

Good qualifying for Ayumu that tomorrow will start second and will have the chance to get a good result, even with the penalty that will have to serve. Remember that our Japanese driver will have to make a double long lap penalty, which was imposed following the mistake made in the previous grand prix.

Returning to the qualifying report, it must be said that Ayumu got an excellent 1’41.244, losing the pole for only 10 thousandths. Also in free practice 3, which took place as the qualifying on the dry track, Ayumu was very fast, being second with a time of 1’41.311. Our driver quickly adapted to the new layout of the Red Bull Ring and after yesterday’s wet FP1, he managed to earn qualifying 2 in the following sessions.

A real shame for John, who will start eighteenth, despite having shown great speed in all previous rounds. In fact, in the combined result was seventh, with a time of 1’41.723. Unfortunately, in qualifying he was unable to finalize his time attack, during his second run. For this reason, the only time valid is 1’42.951, with which tomorrow will start from the sixth row.
We leave you to the words of our drivers and Max Biaggi, our team Owner.

AYUMU SASAKI : “I am very happy about the qualifying, I think I did the best lap I could on my own. I am a little disappointed with the second position just a few thousandths from the pole, but I think I did great laps. I made no mistakes, and I am proud of myself that I did the lap time on my own. I think we have the best pace so far and this is very good. Tomorrow, we have two long laps, but starting from P2 will help me a lot. With the feeling that I have with the bike everything is possible, so I will not give up and fight until the last lap and see where I can end up.”

JOHN MCPHEE : “I am really disappointed with the qualifying. We were not able to show our true speed. The plan at the beginning was to get a good lap, but I ran straight in turn two. I thought it was better to wait for the new tires at the end of the session and try again with the grip. I am not sure what happened the end, but we missed the lap. This was not my strategy and I am disappointed to end this way. Tomorrow is the race and I will try my best to come forward.”

MAX BIAGGI – TEAM OWNER : “I am happy for the second position of Ayumu, but sad for the result of John, who had the potential to do much better. Tomorrow Ayumu will have to serve a double long lap penalty, and this will obviously affect his result, but surely starting from the front can make his comeback a little easier. I expect a good race from both riders.”

Results CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich 2022 – Qualifying

Pole – Daniel HOLGADO (Honda) 1’41.234, 2. Ayumu SASAKI (Husqvarna) 1’41.244, 18. John MCPHEE (Husqvarna) 1’42.951.