Kallios remarkable progression rewarded by points in the GP of Barcelona

Mika Kallio demonstrated a fierce fight during Sunday’s race and the Finn rose up from start grid position 22 to finish 12th at the chequered flag. The performance ensured the public that Kallio’s riding skills are still as good as ever, despite the technical difficulties and unlucky crashes faced this season. Even though the rider managed to climb up ten positions during the race,Kallio himself is not perfectly happy yet. A positive direction was found while experimenting with the settings on Sunday, but the needed technical breakthrough is still to come.

-At least now I can say that we found a good direction with the settings and this is the first positive feeling towards the bike for a long long time. Compared to the times of yesterday’s qualifying practice, I was nearly half a second faster per lap during the race. This is a major step up, also because I was able to keep up the pace for quite some time. My tyres started to lose grip dramatically towards the end of the race, but anyhow I can feel a definite positive change with the bike’s behaviour. It took us surprisingly long to get on the right track, but now I want to focus on further improving the bike and getting back to the podiums, a relieved Kallio reflected.

-For the race we decided to try a longer swing arm length, and that seemed to help with my never-ending struggle with the front grip. During the first half of the race I was able to ride compatible lap times with the leading group, but my tyres did not hold up until the end of the race and a huge loss of grip resulted when there was yet another six to seven laps towards the finish line, Kallio explained.

Kallio battled with Italian Simone Corsi until the end of the race, fighting for positions 12 and 13. Many overtakes took place between the two, neither rider giving up an inch, and finally during the last lap Kallio was able to squeeze past Corsi, finishing the race in 12th place.

-Corsi was tailing me and we had a good fight going on for many consecutive laps. When there were three laps to go and my tyres were already completely finished, he managed to overtake me. Since I was not willing to give him the advantage, I assessed the situation again and decided to take one final risk. I rode the last lap on my extreme limits and was able to gain back the 0.5 seconds gap, passing him on the final sector of the race. We nearly collided in the last curve, but thankfully we both made it to the finish line and in correct order, with me in front, Kallio laughed.

Even though Kallio’s race result in Barcelona demonstrated a clear improvement from the previous GP’s, he wants to express that a lot of work still remains in order to get the bike ready for podium fights.

-During next week, directly after the race, we will conduct a two-day test in Aragon, Spain. We’ll focus on the chassis, the front and I will also concentrate on adapting to the new riding style this parts combination requires. Most things have changed quite a lot from last year and I need to follow the change too, and not get stuck on previous solutions which don't work any longer. These tests are perfectly timed and I am really eager to get testing and show off the progress achieved during the next GP in June 25-27, Assen, Netherlands, Kallio finished.

Results, Moto2-class race 8/18, Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain

1. Johann Zarco 41.15,487

2. Alex Rins + 0,426

3. Tito Rabat + 1,115

4. Sam Lowes + 3,914

5. Luis Salom + 7,080

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12. Mika Kallio + 16,338

World Championship standing in Moto2-class after Barcelona GP

1. Johann Zarco 134

2. Tito Rabat 94

3. Sam Lowes 80