Raul Fernandez Grapples with Rear Tyre Woes Despite Strong Performance at Catalunya MotoGP

Raul Fernandez expressed dissatisfaction with the rear tire's performance, unsure of the cause. Despite being a strong contender for the sprint victory on Saturday, Fernandez faced challenges in the Catalunya MotoGP due to the rear tire wearing down, which prevented him from competing for the win.

Following a missed opportunity for his initial MotoGP sprint victory, Raul Fernandez made a strong comeback to achieve his top performance in the major league.

Fernandez, engaged in a tight race with fellow Aprilia competitor Aleix Espargaro for a significant duration, ultimately finished in sixth place.

It seemed like Fernandez was on track to secure his first top-five finish in MotoGP, but significant wear on his tires enabled Fabio Di Giannantonio to catch up and eventually overtake him.

After the race, Fernandez expressed his feelings, stating, "I'm genuinely pleased because it was essential for us. However, I'm not completely satisfied.

"We performed admirably, but throughout the race, the rear tire felt off to me. I can't pinpoint the reason."

This morning, I gave the medium tyre another shot and, frankly, I felt at ease with it. However, during the race, particularly on the left side, the grip just wasn't there for me, and even more concerning was the lack of support I felt.

"I was forced to rely on the front tire, and managing the final segment of the race proved to be quite challenging, resulting in significant time loss.

"We truly excelled and the speed exceeded my initial expectations as the race began."

"Reflecting on the weekend, if I consider the speed we had yesterday, it was another fantastic few days, and during the sprint race, I was in the thick of the battle. Throughout today's race, I was in contention for the top five, despite struggling with tyre management not going as planned."

This weekend, Fernandez experienced a significant improvement in his performance, crediting the major shift to advancements in the electronics.

Fernandez remarked, "The primary adjustment we made this weekend involved the electronics. Aprilia is now assisting me in adapting my riding style to feel more instinctive."

"Being among everyone, I realized my capability to succeed. It brings me joy to acknowledge that after expressing my need for assistance, they offered their support, making it evident to all of us that we are making progress."

Unlike the majority of competitors who chose the medium rear tyre, Fernandez's decision was based on different considerations.

Throughout the race, the medium rear tire provided the greatest consistency, yet the soft tire performed admirably for racers such as Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta.

However, Fernandez aimed to control the race following his rapid acceleration in the sprint, utilizing the same mixture.

"Fernandez mentioned not experiencing the back end propelling the front forward, despite some riders confessing this was their experience."

I opted to participate in the race using the medium setting, and it felt right. I was in great shape and encountered no issues.

"I sensed an improvement in everything and experienced the same level of control, albeit with slightly enhanced steadiness on the bike."

"Perhaps the temperature was a factor in not feeling great during the race, which made it challenging to maintain control and perform well."

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