RIDERS AND TEAMS PRAISE EGO CORSA AFTER SUCCESSFUL FIRST MOTOE TEST AT JEREZ
The cornerstone of the 2019 FIM Enel MotoE World Cup was laid down two weekends ago, when a three-day-test was performed by all twelve teams taking part in the series at the Jerez Circuit. Twelve, stunning Energica Ego Corsa machines were ridden for the first time by the mix of young and experienced talents of motorcycle racing that form the line-up of the new championship, which will get underway for the first time at this same track on May 3-5 2019.
Among these riders, there was one who made the news by making his return to racing at the age of 48: the two-time MotoGP runner-up and nine-time premier class race winner – once in 500cc and eight times in MotoGP – Sete Gibernau, who looked more than ready for action aboard the Ego Corsa assigned to Pons Racing for this test.
The quickest of them all turned out to be, however, former MotoGP factory rider Bradley Smith (Sic Racing Team), who logged a 1’50.265 secs lap-time in the fourth of nine 30-minute sessions (on day two).
“I’m really happy” says Bradley Smith. “The three days went super good. It was unfortunate that we had difficult weather conditions, but it was also nice to ride in the dry, in the wet and in mixed conditions just to get some information and feedback from the settings, the tyres and also from the electronic strategies, mappings and configurations that we tried. Overall, I felt I adapted to the bike quite quickly, while trying to understand what makes the bike work at its very best. I feel this championship is going to be very competitive: it was great to see so many riders from different series and disciplines coming together and all of them being not only competitive but also really, really close. It’s a pleasant surprise for everybody involved and a there’s a nice buzz about the championship right now.”
This three-day test was more of a shakedown to make sure riders and teams could get a glimpse of the potential of the all-electric superbike machine by Energica before the winter break. In the meetings and briefings held during and after the test, a positive scenario emerged in which team managers had a very positive feedback to report to Energica CTO Giampiero Testoni, who was actively involved with the group of Energica technicians and mechanics in supporting the teams during the test.
“We are extremely happy with how this first MotoE test went down” Giampiero Testoni began. “All twelve Ego Corsa performed – as expected – consistently over the course of the three days with no major setbacks and a lot of good feedback coming from riders and team managers, whose expectations were not only matched but also widely surpassed. Our team of technicians worked in great synergy with the teams and did an extremely good job, so things are looking up for the future. We will now continue working towards the winter to make sure we’re fully ready to go for the next test at Jerez.”
The next MotoE test will take place at Jerez on March 12-14 2019.
ABOUT ENERGICA MOTOR COMPANY S.p.A
Energica Motor Company is the first Italian manufacturer of high-performing electric motorcycle and is the single manufacturer chosen by Dorna for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup. Energica Motorcycles are on sales worldwide.
The all-electric racing bike Energica Ego Corsa has completed a long and extensive testing programme and is now read to take on the five events of the 2019 MotoE season (Jerez, Le Mans, Sachsenring, Red Bull Ring and Misano).