Brilliant performance by Ajo MotoE Team at Valencia test
19/06/2019Niki Tuuli places third in the race simulation held at Ricardo Tormo for the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup, as well as ending the test topping the timesheets in the final practice.
On Wednesday, the Ajo MotoE Team and Niki Tuuli completed a positive three-day test at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, claiming third place in a simulated race for the MotoE competition. The Finnish rider, who was also third in the EPole trial held yesterday, ended with the fastest lap in the last session.
On Monday, Tuuli undertook two 30-minute practices in which he showed his good adaptation to the class – previously demonstrated at tests held in November 2018 and March 2019. The Ajo MotoE Team rider clocked the third best time on Day 1, with a 01:41.659.
Tuesday saw him again place third in the simulation of the EPole format, in which riders go out one-by-one in search of the fastest lap. His top time was a 1:41.387. In the two practice sessions, Niki lowered his personal best by almost a second – 1:40.684 -, finishing fourth overall. Tuuli was also able to undertake a simulated race start alongside the other riders.
Wednesday kicked off with a solid third place in the race simulation, scheduled ahead of the beginning of the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup. The day went on with a further step in the right direction for Tuuli, who took the best time of the entire week’s practice sessions, with a 1:40.127 – a lap second only to the fastest in the morning’s contest.
The Ajo MotoE Team leave Valencia ready for the first ever FIM Enel MotoE World Cup round, which take place from July 5th to July 7th at Sachsenring, in Germany.
Results EPole
1. Hector Garzo 01:40.594
2. Eric Granado +0.025
3. Niki Tuuli (Ajo MotoE Team) +0.793
4. Bradley Smith +0.923
5. Xavier Simeon +1.057
Results MotoE race simulation
1. Eric Granado 11:50.704
2. Hector Garzo +1.004
3. Niki Tuuli (Ajo MotoE Team) +1.810
4. Nicolas Terol +2.627
5. Matteo Ferrari +3.588
Practice sessions – Combined times
1. Niki Tuuli 1:40.127
2. Bradley Smith 1:40.290
3. Hector Garzo 1:40.384
4. Mattia Casadei 1:40.613
5. Matteo Ferrari 1:40.660
66 NIKI TUULI
“In general, the test went very well, as we have improved with each practice. In the last session we took a big step forward and we showed great pace, despite the high temperatures we experienced today in Valencia. We set the second best time at the end of the last day, and that shows that we have been making consistent progress. It was also very positive for us to be able to have a ‘simulation race’, to get an idea of what the opening round of the season will be like. It was a close, interesting test. We feel prepared for the first contest in Germany, the team worked hard and we found a good set-up for the bike. Now it’s time to enjoy this new adventure and, above all, stay focused. I’m sure that the Ajo MotoE Team will do great things.”