The second day of pre-season IRTA testing at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia saw progress being made by both Ducati Team riders, Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow. Today, lapping exclusively with their new Desmosedici GP14 machines, both the Italian and his British team-mate were able to lower their best time by over one second from yesterday, when they got to grips with the new bike for the first time.

After most of Tuesday had been spent running in the bike, today both men completed almost 50 laps each on the GP14, and they were able to notice some improvement in corner entry.

Ducati Test Team rider Michele Pirro, who is also contributing a lot to the GP14’s development in these early stages, expressed positive comments on the bike and the direction being followed.

Tomorrow will be the third and final day of these first 2014 season tests.

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – 11th (2m01.146s)

“I am pleased with the progress we made, I didn’t expect to get such a good feeling from this first test of the year. We were able to improve in corner entry, and gain a bit more mid-corner speed. We accelerate a bit more strongly because the bike tends to wheelie less and so we can use more power. We managed to get closer to the frontrunners in our lap times, and in our overall pace as well, but there’s still a lot of work to do. The improvements we’ve made in these first two days are quite positive.”

Cal Crutchlow (Ducati Team #35) – 12th (2m01.396s)

“I think I’m one of those riders who has made the biggest improvement in lap times today. Yesterday I was a bit rusty on the bike and didn’t feel too comfortable but that was only me. We tested the GP14 all day today and went through some settings we never had time to try yesterday. The result was positive, so that’s a step in the right direction. With the new bike you come into the corner better, which is a positive Ducati have been looking for. Overall I’d say I’m quite satisfied, but we’re still some way off the front guys.”

Michele Pirro (Ducati Test Team #51) – 13th (2m02.177s)

“Today we worked on several different areas, engine braking for example, and we did some tests to verify the fuel consumption; unfortunately, I ran out of fuel at one point along the circuit! Seeing as the bike is new, we’re trying to understand everything about it and it’s down to me to try out all the new bits we’ve brought here. I’m pleased, even though I know there’s still a lot of work to do and we need more time, but at least we have clear ideas on what to do.”

More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

TSUDA JOINS SUZUKI MOTOGP SEPANG TEST 

Team Suzuki Press Office – February 5.

Suzuki’s MotoGP Test Team ran three riders in today’s second day of MotoGP testing at Sepang in Malaysia with Takuya Tsuda joining Randy De Puniet and Nobuatsu Aoki for further evaluation.

The Yoshimura Suzuki All Japan Superbike rider and 2013 Suzuka World Endurance race runner-up shared more-than 30 laps of the 5,543km Sepang International Circuit with Aoki as De Puniet completed a total of 63 laps to further test new settings on the new Magneti Marelli electronic ignition, plus new chassis set-up – and also marginally improving his time from yesterday to 2:03.064 minutes.

Said De Puniet: “We continued to work on the new electronics and on the ways to fix some of the problems. The software is still at the very early stages and needs new updating from the Factory. We will try to work on this tomorrow and do what we can from the circuit while awaiting new development in time for the next test. We also worked on a chassis set-up today and have found a good direction looking for a more grip from the tyre, so this was positive.”

The Suzuki MotoGP Test Team has one more day of testing tomorrow (Thursday) where the team technicians and riders will continue to work on ignition and chassis settings. 

More, from a press release issued by Cardion AB Motoracing:

Abraham improved in Sepang even he made less laps

He made less laps than during first MotoGP testing day, nevertheless Karel managed to get faster, eight tenth seconds respect to yesterday with injured shoulder and he moved one position up. The situation is clearer also about injured shoulder. Apparently Abraham‘s difficulties are caused by lack of movement that should be adjusted by another rehabilitation.

Karel Abraham

“Today we made less laps than on Tuesday to not overload the shoulder. We improved a little bit the lap time, but naturally it is far from point where we could be. At least, I have consulted my problems with shoulder with doctor Cizmar who operated me in autumn. According him, the problem should not be as much serious as it seemed to be, however when I get home, we will have to continue with rehabilitation and we will have to put the shoulder more in motion. Tomorrow I will ride again and we will try to improve lap time and make more laps.”

Marco Grana, Chief mechanic Cardion AB Motoracing

“We are about 8 tenth faster compared to Tuesday, so it´s quite positive for us. But we are still remaining far from good level. We made lot of work on the setup of electronics and we are on good start point before final testing day. Tomorrow we want to try new 2014 rear tyre spec, and I hope we´ll be able to reach better lap time and Karel will get better to make more than 30 laps.”

More, from a press release issued by Monster Yamaha Tech 3:

Successful second day for Monster Yamaha Tech3 at Sepang

The Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team made firm progress on day two of the first official MotoGP test at the Sepang International circuit. Both Monster Yamaha Tech3 riders Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith lowered their lap times considerably on the second day of testing as they prepare for the 2014 MotoGP World Championship.

The Malysian weather once again provided perfect conditions for the testing, with the session running uninterrupted until 6pm local time in Kuala Lumpur.

Bradley Smith completed another positive day of testing which was focused on the evaluation of different electronic and suspension settings. Before running his first shortened race simulation of 15 laps to collect useful data in preparation for the forthcoming season. Smith improved his lap times from the previous day, and was quicker by 1.2 seconds. With getting 66 laps under his belt he established himself as most hardworking permanent MotoGP rider on track today and his application saw the Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider just three hundredths of a second and right behind the Factory Yamaha of Jorge Lorenzo. He finished the session with a best time of 2.00,603 min, in 7^th place and just over 6 tenths behind the leader, Marc Marquez.

2013 Moto2 World Champion, Pol Espargaro continued to explore set up and electronic configurations with his new Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team. Making strides forward in terms of gaining confidence and understanding the bike, Espargaro displayed another impressive performance on the 2014 Monster Yamaha Tech3 YZR-M1 MotoGP bike today. The young Spaniard improved, and lowered his lap time by 0.6 of a second after clocking up 48 laps around the 5.543km track in Malaysia. He completed the session in 10^th position, with a best time of 2.01,061 min.

The final day of testing will commence tomorrow at 10.00am (Local time – GMT +7) at the Sepang International circuit, Malaysia.

Bradley Smith, 7th, 2:00.603

 “In general, it was a positive day. I rode 66 laps, what made me finish on the podium if you consider all the riders and I am really pleased with our performance. I analyzed a lot of the new electronic ideas, the Bridgestone tyres, and the new suspension settings, all were very positive. I also did a kind of race simulation. This was 15 laps just to try and understand the fuel consumption, and also to understand the physical point of view and where I need to improve my preparation. All in all we made a good step, especially compared to yesterday. I lowered my lap time by 1.2 seconds and moved up to 7^th position, which was only 6 tenths behind Marc Marquez, which is obviously still a bit, but considering how close we are to Jorge and Valentino, I am happy with the work we have done.”

Pol Espargaro, 10th, 2:01.061

“I’m really satisfied with the work we did today. Already this morning when the track conditions were at its best and I felt physically strong I managed to lower my lap time quite a lot. Later when we tried a few modifications I realised that my rhythm had improved. Yesterday I was lapping with low 2.02’s and just a few 2.01’s, today I did 2.01’s comfortably with a best of 2.01,0 this morning. But what is really important to me is that beside the lap time I feel really comfortable on the bike. I’m just struggling a bit with things like the steadily changing track conditions because of the heat. Also the fact that you can’t be always out on track as it’s physically demanding does not make things easier for a rookie. Moreover the circuit is really wide so it is quite tricky at the beginning to find the perfect line. However, we did another step in the right direction, we did not crash and I’m already excited to be back on the bike tomorrow morning.”

More, from a press release issued Honda:

MARQUEZ CONTINUES TO LEAD WAY AT SEPANG, PEDROSA CLOSES GAP

Honda riders dominated day two of the three-day MotoGP test session at Sepang, with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda RC213V), Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda

RC213V) and Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda RC213V) at the front of the pack.

Marquez was fastest yesterday and upped his pace today to lap the high-speed Malaysian circuit under the two-minute barrier. Pedrosa was also very much in the groove, closing to within four tenths of a second of his team-mate.

Both riders completed more than 60 laps in debilitating 36 degree heat and 46 per cent humidity. Marquez focused on chassis geometry and compared two different chassis, allowing him to offer vital feedback to his engineers. The reigning MotoGP World Champion also managed to improve stability while braking into corners and was happy with the performance of Bridgestone’s new hard option rear slick.

Pedrosa tried Bridgestone’s new soft option slick, using the tyre to set his fastest time and lead the way for much of the morning. He will switch his attention to the hard rear tomorrow.

Like Marquez, the former 250 and 125 World Champion also tried two different chassis today, though he has yet to make up his mind which way to go.

Bradl was an even bigger improver, going almost a second faster than yesterday to move from fifth position to third, a mere three thousandths of a second behind Pedrosa – further proof that the latest satellite RC213V has a potential very similar to that of the factory machines. The former Moto2 World Champion worked hard at fine-tuning front suspension set-up to allow him to brake later and get into corners faster.

Alvaro Bautista (GO&FUN Honda Gresini RC213V) improved his best time by almost three tenths, bettering his qualifying pace at last October’s Malaysian Grand Prix. Today the Spaniard solved a front-brake issue, evaluated Bridgestone’s latest tyres and also gained useful data while testing two new Showa rear shocks.

Nicky Hayden (Drive M7 Aspar Honda RCV1000R) worked hard in his second full day on Honda’s RCV1000R production racer. He lowered his lap times by more than a second as he got to grips with the bike and moved from 17th position to 14th. Much of his improved pace came from working on electronics and engine-braking performance.

The RCV1000R is entered in MotoGP’s new Open class, for non-factory machines. These bikes must run Dorna-provided electronics software and are allowed to carry more fuel and take advantage of a larger annual engine allocation.

Hayden’s team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama (Drive M7 Aspar Honda RCV1000R) was three tenths faster than yesterday, steadily building his pace after running into some issues during the early part of the day. Improvements to the bike’s traction control set-up, some chassis work and a new Bridgestone helped him find more confidence and speed during the afternoon.

Honda’s only MotoGP rookie Scott Redding (GO&FUN Honda Gresini RCV1000R) continued his apprenticeship, steadily reducing his lap times as he learned the best racing lines. Sepang is a particularly wide track, so cornering lines vary more between classes here than they do at most tracks. At the end of the day the Briton was more than a second faster than he had been yesterday and was therefore happy with progress.

Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Honda RCV1000R) was 25th today, still struggling with an old shoulder injury.

Following tomorrow’s final day of testing, teams leave their equipment at Sepang, where the second preseason test takes places on February 26/27/28.

Honda rider quotes

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda): 1st, 1m 59.926s “We continued with our work schedule today, with a focus on trying out parts. We carried out various tests, including a chassis comparison, and found some positive points and some negative.

As for the set-up, we have improved stability under braking, which is something that I have been finding a little difficult, but in the end we have found a good compromise. I hope that tomorrow we can continue in the same way, because we are consistent and fast, which is important.”

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda): 2nd, 2m 00.336s “Today we’ve been trying out the new chassis and comparing it to the previous version, but tomorrow we shall continue working with both because it isn’t clear which is best. I felt good with both of them, but I have to put in more laps in order to be able to make a clear decision. We also tried out the new Bridgestone tyres, using the soft tyre today and leaving the hard compound for tomorrow. We have been going pretty well here, but the season takes place at many different tracks and you have to prepare for each one of them.”

Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda): 3rd, 2m 00.339s “Today I am very happy: it’s good to be back up in the pack with Marc and Dani. We improved our lap time by one second and, thanks to adjustments in the front, I’ve gained more confidence under braking. We knew that our potential on this bike was higher and today we have been consistent and fast. I hope that we can continue in the same way

tomorrow: we plan to work on race distance to finish this three-day test session with a good base for the future.”

Alvaro Bautista (GO&FUN Honda Gresini): 9th, 2m 00.897s “Today was a very productive day, even if I could not run for most of the morning due to an issue with the brakes, which we only solved in the afternoon. I tried a couple of new Showa shock absorbers for the rear suspension: one of these, in particular, seems to work well with the new tyre that Bridgestone brought for this test, so we will continue to work in this direction.

Despite the time lost during the morning, we are happy. Moreover, I did my best time in the afternoon, certainly not in the best conditions, with the track very hot and when I was already a bit tired. Tomorrow I am convinced that we can improve, both in terms of feeling with the bike and in lap times.”

Nicky Hayden (Drive M7 Aspar Honda): 14th, 2m 02.287s “I am happy because we have improved our lap time quite significantly from yesterday, although the pace in general has been quicker. Once again we focused our work on electronics and engine braking, which gave us a bit more in corner entry. You could say I’m still adapting myself because I have spent a long time on a completely different kind of bike. Now I have to readjust my riding style, the way I’m braking and entering the corner. We are happy with the progress we made today but the gap to the top is still too big, so we have to keep pushing to improve. We still have a lot of things to test from a chassis point of view as well as the electronics and also I need to fully adapt to this Honda.”

Hiroshi Aoyama (Drive M7 Aspar Honda): 18th, 2m 02.825s “At the start of the day the feeling with the bike wasn’t what we were hoping for and we had to play around with a few things to improve it. In the end it turned out to be an issue with the tyres because as soon as we changed them I felt more comfortable. From that point, which was around midday, we started to build our rhythm and turned our focus to the electronic traction control system. It hasn’t been easy to start with because we are only just getting to know the new system and today we tried something different to yesterday. Finally we did some work on chassis set-up and made some slight improvements to yesterday and then right at the end of the day Bridgestone gave us a new tyre to test, which gave me even more confidence.”

Scott Redding (GO&FUN Honda Gresini): 21st, 2m 03.117s “Today was a little better than yesterday: I could put in a lot of laps and we are slowly closing the gap to the other Honda ‘production racers’. We worked hard on the braking and now I feel more comfortable on the bike. The track conditions and temperatures change a lot during the day and this is making me struggle a little bit, but generally speaking I am satisfied with how my apprenticeship is progressing. From the riding point of view, I’m learning how to brake into corners and how to get the bike turned on exit. Tomorrow we will try to further improve.”