NAVARRO: "LET'S HAVE FUN OUT THERE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS"

Jorge Navarro is ready to make his Moto2 debut at the Losail International Circuit this weekend as the Qatari venue hosts the opening Grand Prix of the year. The young Spanish rider has had a very encouraging pre-season of testing on board his Federal Oil Moto2 Gresini Team’s Kalex machine, which gives him a great boost of confidence ahead of his rookie season in this class. Navarro has raced twice in Qatar already, with a seventh place as best race result so far and, with few days left to wait, he gives away some insights on this new challenge awaiting. “I chose to leave Moto3 to… find some fresh motivation. I raced in the Moto3 world championship for three years, but if we count my years CEV years I have been racing on a Moto3 bike since 2012. When I was fighting for the Moto3 championship last year, I had the change already in mind: I felt I was ready to step up. Once you make this decision, there’s no looking back. Obviously, I wanted to race with a top team and when the opportunity to join Federal Oil Moto2 Gresini Team, I knew what I had to do.” “The Moto2 machine is different because… it weights almost twice as much as a Moto3 bike, 140kg compared to 80kg. It has more power but requires a more precise riding style. To master a Moto3 bike is much easier, but I think Moto2 suits my riding style much better.” “The experience of team Gresini can help me to… improve and grow up as a rider. This is a team where everybody knows each other very well, and they all fit together nicely. On the technical side of things, I’m sure I can learn a lot from them; we will improve step by step and increase our expectations.” “In Qatar… we will need to focus a lot on our pace ahead of the race. I will get there with great enthusiasm, but it will be the same for my opponents, too. We need to keep both feet on the ground: it’ll be my first Moto2 race so it won’t be a walk in the park. Every rider wants to be up there, and I think we’ll have a chance to battle at the front if we work well.” “I will be happy at the end of the season if… we enjoyed our time, made some good experience, scored some valuable points and if I had some fun on the bike. If all of this happens, there’s a great chance we’ll finish in a good spot.”

JORGE NAVARRO Birthplace: La Pobla de Vallbona, Spain Date of Birth: 3 Feb 1996 Weight: 61 kg Height: 173 cm Best overall result in Moto3: 3rd (2016) Wins: 2 Podiums: 9 Pole positions: 1 Fastest lap: 1 Best result in Qatar: 7º (2016 Moto3)