Starting from 11th position in the sun at Mugello, Yuki Takahashi started fast today in the 250cc GP and within a few corners was up to fifth position. He stayed in this group behind the lead riders of Bautista, Simoncelli and Barbera but a number of crashes at the head of the field handed more positions to the following riders. The JiR Team Scot rider in warm-up showed his speed and intent for the race by setting the eighth fastest time and soon in the race he was in contact with Luthi and Debon fighting for the third and final podium position. Always Yuki was pushing at the maximum in the corners, as he had to try and snatch back the metres he was losing on the kilometre long straight. Sadly, just four laps from the end of the race, Yuki fell as he hit the brakes for one of the corners. Despite the lack of a result, Yuki proved himself once more, riding the whole race on the limit, showing the skill and deter mination of the Japanese rider.
Cirano Mularoni – Team Manager, JiR Team Scot“Today’s result doesn’t satisfy us because we would like to finish with some important points for the championship and give a good show for our fans here at home in Mugello. I’m sure that Yuki’s strategy for the race was that he gave 110% to stay with the battle for third and he had to always ride on the limit to try and take those important points that on this occasion we didn’t receive. We would have been satisfied with the fifth position that Yuki was in before the fall, but that’s racing. In any case we are here to race for the every position so we have to run always at the maximum.”
Yuki Takahashi – Rider, JiR Team Scot 250GP
DNF
“I’m sad because we knew that on this circuit it was difficult for us but yesterday at the end of practice we were in quite good shape and not afraid of anyone. I did a very good start and took a lot of positions, pushing at maximum to stay with the lead group but always I had to brake hard to stay with the people ahead to recover in the corners what they would take from me on the straight and so it was very difficult to make any overtakes. When I was at half-race distance I started to have less rear grip and this hurt my race. It was impossible to open the throttle delicately when I came out of the corner, but for me it was impossible to go slower as soon the team signalled that the KTMs were catching me up and then just a few laps from the end during braking the front washed away and I fell. At the next race at Barcelona I want to run a good race for the team and get the result for them.”
Gianni Berti – Technical Co-ordinator, JiR Team Scot
“During the weekend the team did a very good job. They prepared the bike well and Yuki ran a very good race. We knew that on this circuit we would have certain problems but we knew with Yuki’s skill and strength we’d have a good result. Sadly towards the end of the race we lost a little grip, which made it difficult for Yuki to defend his fifth position.”
