Moto2™ and Moto3™ back on track at Official Test in Barcelona

A one-day test for the intermediate and lightweight classes followed the Catalan GP

Tuesday, 18 June 2019

After the MotoGP™ riders were on testing duty at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Monday, it was the turn of much of the Moto2™ grid and four Moto3™ riders to spin some important laps on Tuesday in a one-day Official Test of their own.

EG 0,0 Marc VDS’ Alex Marquez is currently the man to beat in the intermediate class after three wins in a row, and the Championship leader stayed in Barcelona to confirm his setup, putting a mammoth 97 laps on Tuesday. Teammate Xavi Vierge was also testing setups, in addition to working on improving his riding style for the new era.

Tom Lüthi and Dynavolt Intact GP teammate Marcel Schrötter were trying new spec tyres for Dunlop, as well as testing different brake discs, different suspension specifications and working on the geometry of their Kalex bikes. Lorenzo Baldassarri (FlexBox HP 40) and ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team riders Remy Gardner and Tetsuta Nagashima were also testing the new Dunlop tyres, which include one front and two rear, as well as different chassis configurations.

The bigger news was at KTM as it was another important day for Red Bull KTM Ajo riders Brad Binder and Jorge Martin. The Austrian factory continue to work hard to overcome their more difficult start to the season and on Tuesday, both Binder and Martin were testing parts on the chassis and suspension, as well as settings for the race. Martin crashed unhurt at Turn 1.

At HDR Heidrun Speed Up, both Jorge Navarro and Fabio Di Giannantonio were out on track to try some different settings. After injuring his ankle away from the circuit on Monday, Di Giannantonio finished his day early although Italian will be fit for Assen as Speed Up aim to continue their strong start to the season. Navarro crashed at Turn 10 – rider ok.

Nagashima and NTS RW Racing GP’s Steven Odendaal crashed at Turns 8 and 7 respectively – riders ok.

In the Moto3™ class, Championship leader Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) was joined on track by Honda Team Asia duo Ai Ogura and Kaito Toba, as well as Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Can Öncü. Canet was working on the suspension, as well as geometry and his position on the bike. The Spaniard crashed at Turn 4 – rider ok.

Official Tests over, Moto2™ and Moto3™ return to action from the 28th to 30th June at the classic TT Circuit Assen.

More, from a press release issued by Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS:

Márquez and Vierge complete productive test in Barcelona

Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS has completed an intense day of work at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in which both Alex Márquez and Xavi Vierge tested new parts, geometry settings and Dunlop tyres.

After winning the Gran Premio de Catalunya, Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS was back on tracking testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Tuesday.

Higher temperatures than Sunday’s race led to reduced grip levels, especially during the afternoon.

Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS is now leaving Barcelona for Assen, where the eighth Grand Prix of the year will take place next week.

Álex Márquez

Fresh and motivated after victory in Sunday’s race, Alex Márquez tried different swingarm and rear shock options as well as different tyres provided by Dunlop.

Variations to electronics focused on improving engine braking was also a focal point of the one-day test.

At the end of the day, Márquez completed 97 laps and found a positive balance with some parts that could yield a positive advantage in the future.

“We focused on the geometry to improve the rear grip”

“It was a very satisfying test. We worked very hard and very well. We focused on the geometry to improve the rear grip. As with all tests, some things work and some things don’t, but we think we have found some details that we hope will help us in Assen. The most important thing is that we have added many laps and kilometres and always enjoying being on the bike. I leave happy and very grateful to the team for the perseverance they always show.”

Xavi Vierge

The main focus for Xavi Vierge and his team was working on his riding position, with the objective to generate more rear grip.

Xavi also worked with the different tyre options Dunlop brought to the test and was also able to assess the new swingarm.

The number 97 bids farewell to Barcelona with good sensations and a total of 103 laps and 487 km completed.

“It has been a very important test in which we have taken a new step forward”

“It was a very important test. We have clear aspects to improve, so to be able to do so many laps is very positive. The team has worked very well. We improved the bike and I could ride a lot keeping a very similar set-up base. This allowed me to focus more on my riding and try to adapt more to the bike. I am mainly working on moving my body back to help the bike have more rear grip. All in all, it has been a very positive day in which we have taken a step forward. I hope that the results of today’s work will be visible in Assen.”

More, from a press release issued by PETRONAS Sprinta Racing:

Positive test for Jonas Folger in Barcelona

PETRONAS Sprinta Racing rider continues to build experience with his Moto2 machine in post-Catalan GP test.

After his debut for PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Moto2 last weekend at the Catalan GP, Jonas Folger continued his work in a single-day test in Barcelona on Tuesday. The German rider was able to continue gaining experience with his Kalex machine and took positive steps forward in preparation for the upcoming race at Assen.

Folger used the entire day to the fullest. In the morning the stand-in rider got down into the 1:44s – half a second faster than his best time from the Grand Prix weekend. The PETRONAS Sprinta Racing rider completed a total of 68 laps of the Spanish track, amounting to some 314km, and was also able to test new tyres brought by Dunlop.

The next round of the Moto2 World Championship is the Dutch GP, which will take place on June 28th-30th.

#94 Jonas Folger

“We put in a lot of laps today, which was important because we struggled in the race We also tried the new tyres that Dunlop have brought here; it was interesting, but the most important thing was riding with the tyres we will have at the next race weekend. Above all, we focused on my riding, the setup and the suspension. We put in a lot of laps, gathered a lot of data and learned some small things that could help for Assen. I was half a second quicker than over the weekend, but we’ve also improved our pace, so we leave this test satisfied.”