A new chassis, Simone Corsi on a MotoGP™ machine, as well as rumours about Aleix Espargaro’s future were all on the list of topics to discuss as motogp.com caught up with NGM Forward Racing boss Giovanni Cuzari.
"The first new item we got was in Le Mans, which was a new gearbox. In Mugello we will then get a new frame and front fairing, whilst the rear of the bike will be revised in terms of the seat and its support. You’ll most likely be able to see the difference in the bike come race day. Afterwards, between Barcelona and the following GP we’ll get more components that will bring to bike to about 75% of what it will be like in 2015", Cuzari commented.
Yamaha has already confirmed that whilst it will supply engines for next year, it will not be leasing the chassis and swingarm. However Cuzari said that the new chassis would be largely based on what Edwards rode last year, yet manufactured by the team itself. And whilst both riders have the same package at the moment, only Edwards will initially get the bike.
The Italian said:
"Aleix is a very fast rider, he adapts well, and has rapidly gained confidence with this bike. Colin on the other hand is still having difficulties with the changes of direction. It’s not planned that Aleix will test the new chassis, but if he has to it won’t be a problem."
Simone Corsi, the team’s Moto2™ rider, tested Edwards’ machine in Jerez with great success, fuelling rumours about a move to the premier-class:
"The test with Simone were the initial stages of him maybe riding the bike in 2015. He lapped in the low 1’42s! The only thing which left me a bit perplexed was that he set that time in the first laps and then wasn’t able to improve."
"Though we should consider these were the first 45 MotoGP laps of his life, he had a fair bit of pain in his arms, and it is quite a bit different to a Moto2 bike. It’s almost certain that he’ll test in Barcelona. Why not? I’d love to see another Italian in the premier-class. He’s a fast and smooth rider… it's up to him to prove that he deserves this seat next year."
On the other side of the garage, Aleix Espargaro’s results are already stirring rumours in the rider market. Cuzari commented: "With Aleix we have a contract for two years plus one, and in theory, contracts are there to honoured. We aren’t anticipating him to leave early. But should that happen, it wouldn’t be tough to find a rider who wants to ride the bike, because we have proven, also thanks to Aleix, that we have a winning package. We have won five out of five in the ‘Open’ category, also with significant margins over the other competitors."
source:
Cuzari: "In Mugello we’ll race with a new chassis"
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