Kallio: Riding feels better than ever before during this season

Mika Kallio had a promising first day on his new QMMF/Speed Up bike at the track of Aragon. During the free practices of Friday, Kallio and his team were able to try a few different set ups and Kallio clocked his personal best at less than 0,8 seconds short of fastest man of the day, Tito Rabat. This lap time took him to position 13 in the combined practice results. As a comparison, the step from the previous race from Misano is worth mentioning, since then Kallio was left at position 24, with more than a 1,5 seconds gap to the forerunners. Changing the colours of his leathers was not a bad decision, it seems, and Kallio himself is happy and thankful for his successful debut day in the Qatari team. 

-I am really pleased with today. My primary goal was to do as many laps as possible, just to get to know the bike better. We are already progressing with the settings, but still have a lot of work ahead of us, since everything is new. No previous data helps at all, because the chassis and suspension are completely different. I am starting to understand the bike’s limits and behaviour step by step during each session, so in that sense a 0,8seconds gap is not a bad first day at all, Kallio smiled. 

During a new race season, the riders have typically at least 10 full test days before the first race weekend takes place. At the moment, Kallio’s fellow riders enjoy the benefit of these past test days, plus a 13 race weekends worth of laps on their bikes. This does not slow Kallio down and he is learning eagerly all possible details to understand his new crew and ride better.  

-We have progressed slowly and steadily, working on the very basics. After each session I feel more confident with the bike, but I doubt this short time is enough for us to get the full potential out of me during the Aragon weekend. What makes me happy, though, is that I was just a 0,4 seconds slower than Sam Lowes today and he has made excellent results with the same bike all season. My feeling is the best it has been all year and I can’t wait to make more laps with the bike, Kallio continued happily. 

Kallio did not spare his words when expressing thanks and gratitude for his new team, QMMF. He feels that the team works proactively in finding new solutions to the set ups and make a great job altogether. 

-We fit together really well. The team has been extremely welcoming towards me and we have already found a good way to work with everything. There has been no pressure at all for me to make results immediately, everyone is very supportive and they give me time to get acquainted with the new chassis. The most important thing for me today was the front feel, which I have regained with this new bike. It makes me happy, since this was the problem that has destroyed the first part of my season so far, a thankful Kallio commented. 

Kallio has no specific aim for the qualification practice and claims it is too early to speculate yet what will happen. 

-My number one goal is to keep focus on developing the bike. The results will come later, but first there is a big amount of sheer base work to be done. During FP3 tomorrow we will try out something radical, just to see whether the direction is good or bad. We are just beginning to understand which types of settings are good for me with this new chassis and suspension set, so we need to test some new things even though the race weekend is ongoing. The main strategy is to progress slowly and avoid any stupid moves, a laughing Kallio finished. 

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