Moto2: Pasini gaining data, setup options for Petronas

Mattia Pasini says a productive in-season test at Circuit de Catalunya has enabled him analyse different setup options for the Petronas Sprinta Racing Moto2 squad.

Having come into this season without a full-time ride, the 33-year-old has acted as star stand-in rider in Moto2 having finished in fourth place for Pons at the United States round.

After a more challenging outing for Angel Nieto KTM at Jerez, the Italian surged back to the front group returning to a Kalex chassis with the Petronas squad at Le Mans but was unfortunately taken out by championship leader Lorenzo Baldassarri in the race.

Having completed a maiden test for the Petronas team at Jerez before the French round, Pasini has continued to gather laps and data, working specifically on corner entry and different chassis configurations, at the two-day test at Barcelona circuit held before the Italian round at Mugello.

“This has been a very important test, since it is my first after learning about the bike more thoroughly during a race weekend,” Pasini said. “The biggest task we have addressed is trying to understand how the bike works, how it reacts and the different options we have for different setups.

“We have also improved the front end, which was something that I still needed to fine tune. We’ve done a very good job, without looking for a quick lap, but instead putting in many laps with used tyres to try to gather as much data as possible.

“After this test we go to Mugello with a clearer idea of how we want the bike to be.”

Pasini is standing in for the injured Khairul Idham Pawi who sustained a hand injury during at the Jerez round and is expected to miss several events.