Cortese heads to championship battle full of energy
10/10/2012Red Bull KTM Ajo factory team’s Sandro Cortese heads with confident mind to MotoGP season’s last four GP’s next one being already this Sunday at Motegi circuit in Japan.
Cortese is in a good situation to be the first ever Moto3 class’s world champion and what’s even more important, 22 year old German is able to prepare himself for Japan in perfect condition.
“Last week I suffered of bronchitis and I felt powerless”, Cortese describes, “That’s why I skipped the Intermoto exhibition in Köln and went straight home from the previous GP held in Aragon. That definitely was a right thing to do. I felt much better last weekend and I managed to start little practicing.”
Cortese has done all the time during the season great work and now leads the championship by 51 points over Spanish Luis Salom. Salom’s countryman Maverick Vinales is third 66 points from Cortese.
“The championship standing doesn’t change a thing when we get ready for Motegi”, Cortese reminds, “We have to stay focused and continue to work like we have done before. There are still 100 points to get from this season. I want to fight and win”, continues Cortese, who has won in Estoril, Sachsenring and in Misano.
In theory Cortese has an opportunity to win the world championship already in Japan but team leader Aki Ajo makes sure that Cortese won’t think anything else than his riding.
“For sure the situation looks good but we can’t think too much of the championship standing”, Ajo highlights, “We just have to work hard and continue as we have done so far without changing the routines.”
The MotoGP season is facing its most crucial and busiest time as the GPs of Japan Malaysia and Australia are held on consecutive weekends.
“We are heading to a really tough period but on the other hand I like these overseas competitions”, says Ajo, “Concentration preparation remain in good level all the time.”
After 13 GPs Cortese’s team mates Briton Danny Kent is sixth in championship and Australian Arthur Sissis is 14th.
Beside Cortese also Kent lead for a while the Spanish GP at Aragon circuit two weeks ago. Despite his bad flue Cortese managed to finish second in Aragon’s thriller. Kent was fourth and Sissis ninth.
“Like Sandro also Danny and Arthur are in great shape and they all rode well in Aragon”, says Ajo, “I expect to see season’s highlights from them in the four last GPs.”
AirAsia Grand Prix of Japan (local time, GMT +9)
Friday 12th of October
09.15-09.55, 1st free practice
13.15-13.55, 2nd free practice
Saturday 13th of October
09.15-09.55, 3rd free practice
13.00-13.40, qualifying
Sunday 14th of October
08.40-09.00, warm up
11.00, GP
Circuit info
Length: 4.801 m. / 2,983 miles
Width: 15m
Left corners: 6
Right corners: 8
Longest straight: 762 m. / 0,473 miles
Constructed: 1997
Modified: 1997