First top ten of the year for Morbidelli

Top rookie honours for the reigning Moto2™ World Champion in Jerez

Franco Morbidelli’s (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) positive start to the season continued at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, crossing the line in ninth as the checkered flag was waved, over four seconds clear of next best rookie Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu).

The Italian moved up to MotoGP™ at the start of this season with Marc VDS, and has since made a positive start to life in the premier class, scoring points in three of the opening four rounds of the season.

Good P9 today! Thanks to my team! ????????????????????????

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The 23-year-old had a difficult time in Austin, however, his result in Jerez shows he and the team are heading in a good direction. Morbidelli reflects on his best result to date, “I’m very happy for this result, we were 8th this morning and 9th in the race, starting from 15th. I’m really happy with the performance, of course there are still many things to improve, but we are getting better.”

The number 21 sits 13th in the Championship standings, with 13 points – just three points behind Argentina rostrum finisher Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar). Next up for the Italian is Le Mans, a circuit he won at last season in the Moto2™ class, and Morbidelli is hoping he and the team can carry on making small steps with the bike.

“I hope to make a little step in Le Mans, that’s the only thing I can think. We need to work well, we worked well this weekend.”