Zanca and Mastrigal looking ahead after challenging French weekend

The latest round of the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours wasn’t without its challenges for Team 109 who look ahead with optimism to the penultimate round of the series in Spain in just under a fortnight, eager to end the year on a high on the Iberian Peninsula.

Alessandro Zanca was joined by the team’s new rider Astrid Madrigal as the championship resumed after a multi-week hiatus during the summer, the pair keen to hit the track when Friday’s Free Practice sessions began.

Both riders improved steadily throughout the opening day with Alessandro taking twenty-fifth on the grid in Saturday’s sole qualifying session. Astrid narrowly missed out on qualifying on her first world championship appearance by less than a second – a still impressive performance considering it was her first time at the circuit and competing at this level.

Saturday and Sunday saw two races for Alessandro. The Italian fought hard, finishing twenty-first and twenty-fourth in the two thirteen lap encounters.

Alessandro Zanca:
“Magny-Cours was a very tough weekend for me. I really struggled and made some mistakes which compromised the races. I thank the team for all their hard work and thank them and all my sponsors who believe in me. I am putting France behind me and focusing on the next races in Aragon and Portimão where I know we can achieve good results.”

Astrid Madrigal:
“It was my first weekend with Team 109 and on one hand I am disappointed but on the other hand happy with the steps we made. It was my first contact with the team and the bike, and it was all about gaining experience. We will continue to work hard to arrive better prepared in Aragon.”

Paul Tobin – Team Principal:
“The week started with the announcement that Astrid was joining the team. Unfortunately, she lost some time in FP2 on Friday because of a technical issue which impacted her a little ahead of qualifying in terms of track time at a circuit that was new to her. She made a huge step and unluckily did not reach the qualifying time after losing time in sector three when she was on target. All in all, she acquitted herself well and I am confident she will make another step at Aragon, a circuit that she knows. Alessandro started the weekend well but unfortunately made a few mistakes in Superpole which caused him to start from P24. He battled hard but didn’t get the results we had hoped for, but we go again in just over a week.”