FIM Moto2 World Championship

Jerez, Spain

March 12, 2014

Day Two Test Times (all using Honda engines and Dunlop tires):

1. Takaaki Nakagami, Japan (Kalex), 1:42.547

2. Thomas Luthi, Switzerland (Suter) 1:42.562

3. Sandro Cortese, Germany (Kalex), 1:42.692

4. Johann Zarco, France (Caterham-Suter), 1:42.841

5. Luis Salom, Spain (Kalex), 1:42.895

6. Simone Corsi, Italy (Forward-KLX), 1:42.925

7. Xavier Simeon, Belgium (Suter), 1:43.088

8. Dominique Aegerter, Switzerland (Suter), 1:43.132

9. Alex De Angelis, San Marino (Suter), 1:43.238

10. Axel Pons, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.285

11. Julian Simon, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.306

12. Jonas Folger, Germany (Kalex), 1:43.343

13. Mattia Pasini, Italy (Forward-KLX), 1:43.368

14. Maverick Vinales, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.386

15. Lorenzo Baldassari, Italy (Suter), 1:43.522

16. Louis Rossi, France (Kalex), 1:43.704

17.  Hafizh Syahrin (Malaysia), 1:43.812

18. Franco Morbidelli, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.832

19. Anthony West, Australia (Speed Up), 1:43.851

20. Marcel Schrotter, Germany (Tech 3), 1:43.876

21. Randy Krummenacher, Switzerland (Suter), 1:43.953

22. Gino Rea, UK (Suter), 1:44.187

23. Roman Ramos, Spain (Speed Up), 1:44.288

24. Josh Herrin, USA (Caterham-Suter), 1:44.291

25. Azlan Shah, Malaysia (Kalex), 1:44.795

26. Ricky Cardus, Spain (Tech 3), 1:44.803

27. Tetsuta Nagashima, Japan (TSR), 1:45.234

28. Robin Mulhauser, Switzerland (Suter), 1:45.625

29. Thitipong Warokorn, Thailand (Kalex), 1:45.716

30. Sam Lowes (Speed Up), no time recorded

More, from a press release issued by AirAsia Caterham Moto Racing:

Zarco and Herrin Complete Second Test Day in Jerez

Circuit of Jerez, 12th March 201

Circuit Length: 4.423 m

Bike # 5 – Johann Zarco P4 – best time – 1:42.841

Bike # 2 – Josh Herrin P24 – best time – 1:44.291

Weather: air temperature 23°C (dry) / track temperature 31°C max

In near perfect conditions, AirAsia Caterham Moto Racing riders Johann Zarco and Josh Herrin completed a progressive second day of testing at the Circuit of Jerez.

The first session saw Johann Zarco reach his target of breaking into the 1min42s within just 10 laps and rewarding him with a new personal best time of 1:42.991. Running within the top six throughout the day, the Frenchman continued to push forward to claim P1 with a time of 1:42.841 in the last of the day’s sessions, only to be nudged off the leader’s spot by Takaaki Nakagami in the final minutes.

For team mate Josh Herrin it was a difficult start, as a problem with the quick shifter in the first of the morning’s sessions prevented the eager American from chasing lap times. The team worked hard to find a solution and allow the Moto2 rookie valuable time on track.

Johann Zarco: “I am very happy to have got into the 1m42s and even in the last session I was able to improve. Finally we are 4th and only three tenths from the fastest rider.

“We are still making little modifications but I’m always feeling better on the bike and working on my riding style. I am happy because the mechanics understand how to set the bike for me from the information I give.

“It was a very good day and we will try to repeat it again tomorrow. Continuing like this we will be more ready for the races.”

Josh Herrin: “Today we struggled with the quick shifter but the guys worked hard to fix it and get me out on track. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to push to improve my lap time but we made some good progress with the base setting.

“I feel comfortable on the bike now and tomorrow I would like to do a 1m43s so I can leave feeling confident going into the first race at Qatar.”

More, from a press release issued by Gresini Racing:

SIMEON AND BALDASSARRI SHOW A GOOD RACE PACE DURING DAY TWO AT JEREZ

Today, during the second day of the official Moto2 IRTA Test at Jerez, Xavier Simeon made a first, positive race simulation aboard the Suter of the Team Federal Oil Gresini Moto2, showing a consistent pace also in the final stage of the long run, with worn tyres. A good result, mainly due to a change in the chassis geometry that enabled Siméon to lower his lap times more comfortably than yesterday. His best lap of the day, 1’43”088, puts him in seventh place in today’s timesheet, and in ninth place in the combined classification of the first two days of testing.

Lorenzo Baldassarri was also focused on full race distance, making a 26 laps long run with excellent results: the young rookie was therefore not looking at the single lap performance, setting – halfway through his long run – the 15th fastest time with 1’43”522.

XAVIER SIMEON (1’43″088 – 77 LAPS)

“I’m very happy because today I was able to complete a successful race simulation, during which I steadily improved my performance. Unfortunately I had to stop the long run after 21 laps due to a red flag, but then I completed 5 more laps to reach the full race distance, using the same tyres and keeping again a good pace. Our goal was to lap constantly under 1’44” and we did it, so I’m satisfied. Today we also made an important change to the chassis geometry; although initially I was doubtful, this change actually proved to be very useful, allowing me to lower lap times with much more ease than yesterday. Tomorrow we will try to continue to work in the same direction”.

LORENZO BALDASSARRI (1’43″522 – 69 LAPS)

“Today I have completed my first race simulation: doing so many consecutive laps for the first time with a Moto2 machine it’s been really important for me, both from the physical point of view and from the point of view of the behavior of the bike over the full race distance. I struggled a little bit during the first laps, but then I managed to get a good rhythm and keep it for all of the remaining laps. Tyre performance has dropped at about 10 laps to go, and it’s been very interesting to ride in these conditions, having to overcome grip issues moving the body on the bike and changing riding style. I have definitely gained valuable experience in preparation for my first Moto2 Gran Prix”.