Vierge top five and with podium pace in Race 1 at home track Jerez

"I’m very happy with our Saturday. Once again, we had a good qualifying and were fast in what was an extremely competitive session! Bulega’s lap time was simply amazing. In the race, we were fighting for the top three once again. It’s true that Bulega and Toprak are still a bit far ahead, but we were very, very close to the podium. I made a good start and was almost immediately battling in that group. I felt really good with the bike from lap one. It’s true that I was struggling a little through three corners, but I felt very strong around the rest of the track. It was a hard-fought race, but I was able to control it very well and even think about the tyres. Unfortunately, when Alvaro arrived in the final laps, he had a little more pace than me. I tried to follow him and perhaps wait for a chance, but it wasn’t possible. In the last two laps I passed Andrea (Iannone), but as soon as I pushed a bit more, the tyres dropped off, so I couldn’t fight for fourth place. Anyway, the gap to the podium was the closest it’s been, and even the gap to the front - in a very fast race - was not as big as it has been. I’m very happy and want to thank the team because we’ve been working really well and keeping the momentum, not just this weekend but over the last few rounds. I’m really enjoying this last part of the season. We have two more chances tomorrow, and we’ll try to find some small details with the setup. As for me, I’ll try to improve my riding style and be ready to fight for the important positions."

“Today was not bad. I’m quite happy with my performance during the race. I managed to finish it, which was important for me. I’m very tired, especially with my arms. Physically I feel okay on the bike, but the overall situation makes me feel quite slow, especially towards the end of the race. Around lap 9 I almost lost the front through the fastest corner, and I was a bit scared - I didn’t want to take any risks. Honestly, there’s no point in doing that right now. I also made something of a gentle start and lost many positions, but I didn’t care. This was not a race in which to fight; I just wanted to finish. In the end, it was a similar story to other races, but this time I finished, and I was able to stay closer in the group in the final laps, which gives me added motivation for tomorrow. We’ll definitely try a different front tyre because I struggled a lot with the front today. I also struggled with my arms, so we’ll see how I feel tomorrow. It’s the first time I’ve done more than ten laps since the injury, so that’s already a good step.”