Technical problem stopped Finsterbusch in Japan

FINSTERBUSCH_fwkon32s4860At the 16th event of the Moto3 World Championship in Motegi, Japan, Germany’s Moto3 pilot Toni Finsterbusch was stopped by a technical problem and thus denied a well-deserved success. After a good start, the 20-year-old from Leipzig fought hard to catch up to the fast group ahead of him. But due to a technical problem, shortly before the end of the race, Finsterbusch had to abandon all hope of finishing in the points. Accordingly, he expressed his disappointment after the race: “My start was fine. Then I had some trouble keeping up with the group, fighting for 11th place. Five laps before the end of the race, however, the transmission chain got stuck. My lap times became a lot slower and I had to let them go. It’s a great disappointment because I could well have finished in the points today.”

Alex Marquez of Spain took the podium’s top spot, followed by compatriot Maverick Vinales with a gap of just 27 thousands of a second on second place. Germany’s Jonas Folger posted a third-place result.

At the season’s final in Valencia, Spain (November 10, 2013) Finsterbusch intends to give it his best shot: “We’ll prepare as well as possible. It would be nice to finish in the points at the last race of the season.”

Toni Finsterbusch plans new start in Spain: „Top level in CEV”

20131125_FinsterbuschDone with an instructive 2013 World Championship season to take a look ahead

As a member of the Kiefer Racing team Germany’s motorcycling rider Toni Finsterbusch competed in the Moto3 World Championship. In the following interview the 20-year-old from Krostitz near Lepzig takes stock of the past season. Finsterbusch plans a new start in the renowned Spanish CEV Championship.

The World Championship season concluded in Valencia. Unfortunately, you did not finish in the points as expected in Spain. What are your conclusions with regard to the 2013 season?

Toni Finsterbusch: “It was a difficult season for all of us. Somehow it felt like a roller coaster drive with ups and some downs. We’ve set ourselves some goals before going into the new season, but we failed to achieve them. Basically, the team worked well together and we were in a good mood – but we all made mistakes. If it worked out in the qualifying, then we had problems in the race. And vice versa, after a bad qualifying, we often showed a good performance during the competition. Personally, I’ve gathered a lot of experience this year and I’ve learned a lot.”

During the 17 World Championship races you travelled around the world. Where did it work out for you and what do you remember most?

Toni Finsterbusch: “I was quite successful in Assen (Netherlands) when I repeatedly posted Top 10 lap-times in the rain-hit qualifying. Additionally, I got along well on the tracks in Misano (Italy) and Barcelona (Spain). And I have good memories of the race in Australia – I really felt good and at ease there. But the most exciting race weekend this year was the one in Japan: In Motegi we were threatened with a cancellation due to an earthquake, fog and numerous typhoon warnings. This is why we were forced to start right into the qualifying without any training sessions. It was a rather particular situation.”

After the season is ahead of the next season. What are your plans for next year?

Toni Finsterbusch: “We’re already working at full speed on the plans for 2014. I will not compete in the World Championship and will not start in the Moto3 either. At the moment, it looks as if I’m going to start in the Moto2 class of the Spanish CEV Championship. Negotiations are under way and things are looking good. We are confident to announce a result quite soon.”

A switch from the World Championship to the CEV – is this a step backwards?

Toni Finsterbusch: “Obviously, the World Championship is in the focus. But many top drivers, such as Luis Salom, Marc Márquez, Jorge Lorenzo or Dani Pedrosa, come from the Spanish Championship. The level is very high and it won’t be easy. Well, one could say that I take a step backwards to better leap over the next hurdle.”

The Spanish Championship enjoys a very good reputation. The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) intends to transform the CEV step by step into a European Championship. What is the current state of affairs?

Toni Finsterbusch: “Next season, in a first step, the series will be expanded. Apart from the six events in Spain there will be another two in France and Portugal on the race calendar. As of 2014, further races in Europe are planned and the series is set to be granted the status of a European Championship. Possibly, there will also be races in Germany.”

What are your immediate plans for the winter and what are your objectives for next year?

Toni Finsterbusch: “Right now I’m fully focused on fitness training and I’m trying to prepare myself as best as I can for the upcoming challenges. As of February, there are probably first test runs with the new team. Well, I know most of the circuits from the World Championship. In 2014 I hope to show convincing performances and to claim top spots. Everything else will fall into place.”

Finsterbusch ends the season in Valencia on a conciliatory note

FINSTERBUSCH_fwkon_33s0481Germany’s pilot Toni Finsterbusch claimed a 24th-place finish at the final of the Moto3 World Championship in Valencia, Spain – ending a season with many ups and downs on a conciliatory note.

The 20-year-old from Leipzig achieved fast lap times in the race on Sunday, staying in front of his following competitors. However, he failed to finish in the points. The track in Valencia is renowned to be difficult for drivers, wanting to march through the field from the back. “The most important thing is that I’ve crossed the finish line. In the end I’ve managed to achieve lap times of 1:42 minutes even though I had some troubles with the back wheel and slipped all the time,” said Finsterbusch, who announced a challenge for next year: “I’ll be back stronger next season”, saying that he will give an update and news in the upcoming weeks.

Earning 323 points for the victory at the season final Spaniard Maverick Vinales also claimed the podium’s top spot in the overall Moto3 rankings ahead of compatriots Alex Rins (311 points) and Luis Salom (302). After a crash in Valencia Salom, who headed the overall rankings for a long time, had to give up all hope of winning the title.

Finsterbusch with impressive fighting spirit in Australia

FINSTERBUSCH_fwkon_31s0311-450x300Moto3 pilot Toni Finsterbusch of Germany has shown great fighting spirit at the 15th race of the World Championship in Australia. After a crash through no fault of his own during the warm-up, the 20-year-old from Leipzig eventually crossed the finish line earning a respectable 23rd-place finish despite back aches and leg bruises. “Due to my troubles I haven’t been able to handle and move on my bike as I wanted to. However, we’ve made the most out of the situation. Under no circumstances I wanted to give up,” said Finsterbusch who was brought down by Italy’s Niccolò Antonelli during warm-up.

Spain’s Alex Rins took the podium’s top spot ahead of compatriots Maverick Viñales und Luis Salom (all KTM). With two World Championship races remaining, Salom is heading the overall rankings. In Motegi, Japan, next weekend (October 27, 2013), Finsterbusch hopes to attack again: “Hopefully, I’ll have a little bit of luck for a change and get through the race weekend without any accidents. And if I do, I’ll surely finish in the points.”

Finsterbusch uninjured after crash in Malaysia

FINSTERBUSCH_fwkon_29d0367It was a blessing in disguise: Moto3 pilot Toni Finsterbusch of Germany remained uninjured after a crash at the 14th race of the Moto3 World Championship in Sepang, Malaysia. After a good start into the race the Kiefer Racing driver took a “highsider” in the sixth lap and thus ended the race prematurely. “I’m fine. Fortunately, I didn’t suffer any serious injuries. The start was quite good. But then I slipped off and crashed with a ‘highsider’”, explained Finsterbusch afterward.

The current World Championship leader Luis Salom of Spain took the podium’s top spot ahead of compatriot Maverick Vinales (both KTM). Portugal’s Miguel Olivera earned a third place.

Already next week, Finsterbusch will start at the 15th race of the Moto3 World Championship in Australia. The season will conclude with the events in Japan (October 27, 2013) and in Valencia/Spain (November 10, 2013).