RED BULL GASGAS TECH3 MOTO3™ TEAM DISPLAYS NEW COLOURS AT FIRST TEST OF 2024 IN PORTIMAO

The electric class was not the only one to make its return on track this week in Portimao, as Tech3’s Moto3™ forces, freshly rebranded as the Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 team, joined the action for a two day-test in Portugal, before the Jerez Moto3™ Official Test next week in Spain. Title contender Daniel Holgado was joined by his new teammate, rookie Jacob Roulstone, as both reunited with their 2024 bike for the first time since the Valencia Test in November.

DAY 1
First day at school for the whole team on Thursday as Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 got their first taste of 2024 with a day split into four sessions. Quickly, Daniel Holgado, fifth of the riders’ championship in 2023, set the pace from the first session. Second fastest of P1 in 1’47.717, improving to 1’47.606 in P3, the young Spaniard was amongst the fastest out there all Thursday until he suffered a quite violent crash on a tricky drying track after the rain hit Portimao. As he felt a bit dizzy, that was the end of the day for him. Rookie Jacob Roulstone delivered a quite impressive first day out there as the young Australian started to learn about the lightweight class. He was not too shy with a 1:48.939 which placed him sixth of Practice 1. That was his best of the day as track conditions were not the easiest with the rain coming on and off, alongside the wind.

DAY 2
Another day awaited Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 on Friday in South of Portugal, with again tricky track conditions, the rain having left a wet track for the riders out there. Daniel Holgado did not go out for the first session, but rookie Jacob Roulstone took the experience with nineteen laps completed. Dani joined the action in P2 with his first eleven laps of the day and a best in 1’48.688, that he later improved in the penultimate session with a 1’48.064, placing him third of P3, a bit far from title rival David Alonso who set a 1’46.855. Meanwhile, Jacob Roulstone improved with a 1’49.175 in the afternoon, with lap times similar to his fellow rookies. Both Dani and Jacob did not ride in the final Practice, having both completed their test schedule.

That was a first taste of 2024 for the Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 team in the lightweight class, before the action really kicks off next week for three days at the Jerez Moto3™Official Test, on February 28, 29 and March 1.

"I am happy with our first test of the year. Pace was great yesterday, but I suffered a rather big crash in the afternoon. Anyway, I was feeling ok. Today was important because we changed many things on the bike, we used old tyres, and we were strong. Happy overall with the job done, and I am looking forward to Jerez already to continue the work. Thank you to my team for their work!”

"These two days of testing were very good, although the weather was a bit of a shame, because it was on and off raining and conditions were cold, but we got some good laps in which I am happy about. I learned more about the tyres and the bike’s setup, and we did a good job together with my team. Of course we have more work to do, so I am looking forward to the Jerez Test next week so we can continue the progress. Thank you to the team for their great work, and see you next week in Spain.”

HERVE PONCHARAL

RED BULL GASGAS TECH3 TEAM PRINCIPAL

"The Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 Moto3 team started their 2024 season in Portimao with their new colours, and a new line up, with Daniel Holgado welcoming rookie Jacob Roulstone. Everybody was impatient to get the season started with the 2024 GASGAS bike and the new Pirelli tyres. Day 1 started very well with Dani showing instantly his speed, and Jacob showed quickly interesting lap times too. The weather became a bit complicated to handle, and Dani suffered a quite violent crash in the afternoon, which left him a bit dizzy and with pain on his left wrist. It is a real shame because it is to me an absolutely unnecessary crash. It was the first day on track, and the warm-up of Jerez Test, so there was nothing to show, except getting up to speed and back to work with the team. So I am not happy with how things went to be honest. On Jacob’s side, I am impressed with the way he has handled his first test as a rookie. He was with his fellow rookies, and not far from the fast guys. He had a good attitude, and worked well in all track conditions, so we can say it is mission accomplished for him. We have a few days to rest, which will be important for Dani who is not at his 100%, and then we will continue the work in Jerez next week."

GALLERY

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