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GASGAS Aspar Team realigns sights on 2023 Moto3 with Ryusei Yamanaka & David Alonso
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Moto2 revs up with Jake Dixon but Moto3 World Champion Izan Guevara has to wait for his class debut
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Tests in Spain and Portugal wrap a rapid pre-season period for both classes as Portimao and round one beckons
A 21-Grand Prix championship lies in store for the Moto3 Rider, Team and Manufacturer world champions as the Grande Premio de Portugal at the swirling Algarve International Circuit kicks off the 2023 campaign this weekend. GASGAS Aspar Team ruled Moto3 in 2022 and were chief protagonists in 2021 but this season they welcome two new riders - Ryusei Yamanaka (21 years old and three years in the division) and David Alonso (16 years old, a rookie and 2021 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champ)- into the structure and will aim for fresh goals and fresh stories while trying to keep the ‘red’ at the front of the pack.
Last year GASGAS Aspar Team also achieved podium results in Moto2 thanks to the efforts of Jake Dixon. The dedicated Brit, 27, will strive for title contention in 2023 for what will be his fifth GP season but also help induct Moto2 rookie Guevara into the mix as the 18-year-old continues his exciting career development. In a late, tough call for the Majorcan, Guevara will miss the first two events on the calendar to undergo surgery on a troublesome right wrist ligament but hopes to be back in play for the U.S. Grand Prix in April. His place will be taken in Portugal and for round two in Argentina by the team’s MotoE rider and former World Cup Champ Jordi Torres.
The latest chapter of the thrilling GASGAS Grand Prix narrative starts on a blank page across the dips and weaves of the Algarve layout in Portimao; a track where GASGAS Aspar Team commanded the top step of the Moto3 podium in 2022.
It’s time to get on the gas again!
Ryusei Yamanaka: “This season my target is to have the speed for the podium. I’m not thinking about the championship at the moment and it will be important to take the season race-by-race. The bike is quite similar to what I used last year but the set-up is different and of course the way to work with the team also. We still have some adaptation to do but it’s getting better every single session. We still need to focus on the small details and refine the bike further to my style. So, we cannot really talk about the championship and where we might be at the moment but the ‘one race at a time’ strategy will help and I want to make the most of the GASGAS bike.”
David Alonso: “Some good tests and this has allowed us to work for the season and be ready for what we will find in the races. I know it will be very competitive out there to be with the front group but with my preparation, the way we’ve worked in the team and what I’ve done with my riding style I hope we can have a first race where we’re happy with the result. I don’t want to be in a rush and I know we have to progress during the season and look towards podiums and maybe better as the year goes on.”
Izan Guevara: “I’m keen to start the season but I know with 21 races we have a lot ahead of us and a lot to learn. The tests went OK and we’ve been improving all the while and lowering our lap-times but I was struggling with my wrist so we went for a check in Barcelona and found out that I needed surgery to give me more feeling with my right hand. It’s hard not to start in Portimao but, at the same time, I would prefer to be racing in better condition. I hope to be back as soon as possible. I want to be as far forward and as competitive as I can be, and we’ll work as hard as we can to make that happen.”
Jake Dixon: “The test didn’t start in the best way; I lacked feeling in the bike and had a lot of crashes. So, we turned back to what we had last year and the final part of the sessions were really good. The team, as ever, have worked really well to find the right direction for me. We’re still not quite 100% there but I’m getting my confidence back and lap-by-lap I’m growing and I think if we can keep developing what we have then by the race weekend we will be there or thereabouts. 21 GPs mean a lot of racing and a lot can happen. My goal is to fight for the championship so let’s see what we can do.”
Jorge Martinez, Team Principal: “We enter 2023 with great feelings and aiming for an amazing season together with GASGAS. This year we have a new Moto3 line-up with Ryusei Yamanaka and David Alonso. The mix of youth and experience will make it a strong team and, although it's quite difficult to repeat a year like 2022, we will work non-stop to give them the best weapons to fight on track. Moving up to Moto2 we find current Moto3 world champion, Izan Guevara, who has already won two championships with GASGAS machinery. It’s a real shame that he will miss these two races but he’ll be back soon and Jordi Torres will fill his shoes in the meantime. In the class we once again mix a rookie with an experienced rider, this time Jake Dixon, who is ready for higher goals as he already visited the podium. Now it's time to keep growing and to get to the top step.”
Jens Hainbach, Head of Sports Management Road Racing: “Jorge and the guys placed the benchmark in Moto3 last year and now it’s time to create the same again with Ryusei and David. Testing seemed to go well and, of course, the GASGAS Aspar Team are one of the best and professional setups in Moto3 so they will be pushing for the best level of competitiveness. Izan’s setback is unfortunate and when he comes back he has to understand Moto2 but his talent and mindset is so strong that it’s hard to imagine him needing much time to find his pace while Jake is almost proven in this class: his first win cannot be far away. With JuniorGP, Moto3, Moto2 and now GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 in MotoGP we have another fantastic route for talent and a big eye-catching presence in this sport. For sure it will be bright in 2023 and for the next seasons to come.”
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PRESS CONTACT
EVANGELIA SISSIS
GASGAS BRAND & PR MANAGER ROAD RACING
MOTORSPORTS
M: +43 676 6652 742
E: Evangelia.sissis@gasgas.com