Dani Holgado and David Alonso leave the Catalan Grand Prix feeling positive after finishing fifth and sixth respectively

The CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team riders have wrapped up an intense Catalan Grand Prix. Dani Holgado and David Alonso finished fifth and sixth respectively in a race where tyre management proved decisive. Manu González was Sunday’s winner, beating Celestino Vietti and Izan Guevara, who finished second and third in Barcelona.

The Catalan Grand Prix race always promises to be one of the most demanding in terms of race management, especially in the intermediate category. Tyre degradation is one of the most important factors to consider if riders want to be in contention for the top positions in the standings. The CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team worked on this aspect throughout the weekend to ensure they were in the best possible position for Sunday. Dani Holgado started the race from eighth on the grid but quickly climbed the order to reach the top five after the opening laps. The Spaniard maintained a high pace throughout the 21 laps and rode with great determination to close the gap on the rider in fourth place. Holgado finished fifth in Barcelona and, despite being unable to repeat last year’s victory, leaves feeling very satisfied with the significant progress made at the Catalan circuit throughout the weekend. Meanwhile, David Alonso also made a strong start, though in this case from the fifth row of the grid. The Colombian quickly moved up the field and by the first corner was already in seventh place, just behind his teammate Holgado. Alonso experienced no discomfort in his right shoulder and rode with ease, though without over-wearing his tyres, despite the high pace set by the riders ahead. The CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team rider finished sixth, a tenth of a second behind Holgado.  

5th Dani Holgado (+7.971): “Race over. An intense Sunday and a long race where we had to really look after the tyres; the rear as much as the front. They were both suffering. I’m quite satisfied because the pace was fast and we were seven seconds quicker than last year. It’s something to be happy about but we need to keep working and to keep making steps to improve. This top five means we did a decent job after the last races to build confidence and re-build rhythm. Thanks to the team.”

6th David Alonso (+8.080): “I'm very happy for several reasons, mainly because my shoulder didn't give me any problems throughout the race. I had the best start of my life, and I was very happy because everything seemed easier; it made everything much simpler. In the first part of the race, it was difficult to keep up with the others because I wasn't as fast as them on fresh tyres, but I might be good at taking good care of the tyres, because I have been able to fight until the end. Tuesday's test will be good for us so we can continue to make progress.”