Crash for Kallio in Le Mans - Change of chassis for the next race

The fifth Moto2 Grand Prix of the year 2015 was not a happy one for the Finnish rider Mika Kallio. Kallio was able to start well and he climbed up several positions up to sixth place, but he ended the race with a crash and Thomas Luthi won the GP of Le Mans.

-The riding did not really work out at all. Even though I managed to make a good start, that did not help in the end since I was not able to ride with the lead group, even though I was able to fight my way up previously. The feeling with the bike was poor especially in the front and when I started to lose pace, many overtakes followed and I lost my rhythm completely, a disappointed Kallio commented.

-The bike felt a bit worse than yesterday due to last minute changes in the settings and as the race ended with a crash due to my mistake, there is really nothing positive to remember this day by. I crashed when entering a tight left-right chicane, as I was not able to turn the bike in enough towards the first corner. Due to this, I ran wide the first part of the chicane by half a meter and then I hit the curb on the next turn. My front wheel slipped from beneath me and there was nothing I could do to avoid the crash, Kallio reviewed.

The new Kalex 2015 chassis has caused a lot of discussion with Kallio and his team and after a huge struggle to make new set up suit his riding style, Kallio has decided that the next race in Mugello will be run with the old bike. Changing the bike is a rare procedure during this part of the season and not a decision taken lightly.

-I have lost a lot of my confidence with the new bike and we really did everything in our power to make it work, but now the time has come to take on a new direction. I hope this unusual mid-season change of chassis will work out for the best and we will be able to fight for the top positions again, Kallio continued.

-It is not a change that will perform miracles instantly, but I hope that in time this modification will allow me to reach my potential and the results we all miss. We are now looking to build a replica of last year’s bike, complete with the custom made parts used during the previous season, which the manufacturer kindly agreed to provide. It is quite a hunt finding all the needed parts, but I am confident all will be in place for the next GP in Mugello, Kallio finished.

Moto2-class results from Le Mans, France

1. Thomas Luthi 42.27,011

2. Tito Rabat + 1,767

3. Johann Zarco + 3,760

4. Sam Lowes +4,076

5. Franco Morbidelli + 14.492

Moto2-class points standing after 5/18 races

1. Johann Zarco 89

2. Thomas Luthi 68

3. Jonas Folger 57

4. Sam Lowes 54

5. Franco Morbidelli 54