Editorial Notes:
The current MotoGP Circuit Best Lap Record at Jerez is 1:37.910, set by Jorge Lorenzo in 2015.
The current MotoGP Race Lap Record at Jerez is 1:38.735, set by Jorge Lorenzo in 2018.
The current World Superbike Circuit Best Lap Record at Jerez is 1:38.960, set by Marco Melandri in 2017.
The current World Superbike Race Lap Record at Jerez is 1:40.938, set by Marco Melandri in 2017.
FIM MotoGP World Championship and FIM Superbike World Championship Test
Circuito De Jerez, Spain
November 24, 2017
Friday’s Lap Times (times provided by Circuito de Jerez):
1. Jonathan Rea, UK (Kawasaki), SBK, Pirelli, 1:37.986
2. Andrea Iannone, Italy (Suzuki), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.030
3. Pol Espargaro, Spain (KTM), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.230
4. Alex Rins, Spain (Suzuki), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.307
5. Tom Sykes, UK (Kawasaki), SBK, Pirelli, 1:38.326
6. Danilo Petrucci, Italy (Ducati), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.607
7. Alex Lowes, UK (Yamaha), SBK, Pirelli, 1:38.622
8. Bradley Smith, UK (KTM), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.688
9. Scott Redding, UK (Aprilia), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.778
10. Jack Miller, Australia (Ducati), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.998
11. Leon Camier, UK (Honda), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.333
12. Xavi Fores, Spain (Ducati), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.384
13. Eugene Laverty, Ireland (Aprilia), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:39.485
14. Sylvain Guintoli, France (Suzuki), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:39.510
15. Marco Melandri, Italy (Ducati), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.577
16. Michael Van Der Mark, Netherlands (Yamaha), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.577
17. Niccolo Canepa, Italy (Yamaha), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.855
18. Michael Rinaldi, Italy (Ducati), SBK, Pirelli, 1:40.223
19. Dan Linfoot, UK (Honda), SBK, Pirelli, 1:40.790
20. Jason O’Halloran, Australia (Honda), SBK, Pirelli, 1:40.950
Best Overall Test Times Nov. 20-24 (times provided by Circuito de Jerez):
1. Andrea Dovizioso, Italy (Ducati), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:37.663
2. Cal Crutchlow, UK (Honda), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:37.818
3. Jorge Lorenzo, Spain (Ducati), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:37.921
4. Jonathan Rea, UK (Kawasaki), SBK, Pirelli, 1:37.986
5. Andrea Iannone, Italy (Suzuki), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.030
6. Pol Espargaro, Spain (KTM), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.230
7. Alex Rins, Spain (Suzuki), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.307
8. Tom Sykes, UK (Kawasaki), SBK, Pirelli, 1:38.326
9. Tito Rabat, Spain (Ducati), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.387
10. Danilo Petrucci, Italy (Ducati), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.607
11. Alex Lowes, UK (Yamaha), SBK, Pirelli, 1:38.622
12. Bradley Smith, UK (KTM), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.688
13. Scott Redding, UK (Aprilia), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.778
14. Jack Miller, Australia (Ducati), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.876
15. Franco Mobidelli, Italy (Honda), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.923
16. Takaaki Nakagami, Japan (Honda), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.992
17. Leon Camier, UK (Honda), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.333
18. Xavi Fores, Spain (Ducati), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.384
19. Eugene Laverty, Ireland (Aprilia), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:39.485
20. Sylvain Guintoli, France (Suzuki), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:39.510
21. Marco Melandri, Italy (Ducati), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.577
22. Michael Van Der Mark, Netherlands (Yamaha), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.577
23. Alex Marquez, Spain (Honda), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:39.782
24. Niccolo Canepa, Italy (Yamaha), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.855
25. Michael Rinaldi, Italy (Ducati), SBK, Pirelli, 1:40.223
26. Xavier Simeon, Belgium (Ducati), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:40.332
27. Loris Baz, France (BMW), 1:40.468
28. Eugene Laverty, Ireland (Aprilia), SBK, Pirelli, 1:40.551
29. Jordi Torres, Spain (MV Agusta), 1:40.595
30. Chaz Davies, UK (Ducati), SBK, Pirelli, 1:40.630
31. Leon Haslam, UK (Kawasaki), 1:40.768
32. Dan Linfoot, UK (Honda), SBK, Pirelli, 1:40.790
33. Lorenzo Savadori, Italy (Aprilia), 1:40.841
34. Jason O’Halloran, Australia (Honda), SBK, Pirelli, 1:40.950
35. Luke Mossey, UK (Kawasaki), 1:40.984
36. Leandro Mercado, Argentina (Kawasaki), 1:41.034
37. Takumi Takahashi, Japan (Honda), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:41.089
38. Yonny Hernandez, Colombia (Kawasaki), 1:42.476
39. Nacho Calero, Spain (Kawasaki), 1:45.067
Best MotoGP Lap Times Of The Test (times provided by Circuito de Jerez):
1. Andrea Dovizioso, Italy (Ducati), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:37.663
2. Cal Crutchlow, UK (Honda), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:37.818
3. Jorge Lorenzo, Spain (Ducati), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:37.921
4. Andrea Iannone, Italy (Suzuki), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.030
5. Pol Espargaro, Spain (KTM), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.230
6. Alex Rins, Spain (Suzuki), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.307
7. Tito Rabat, Spain (Ducati), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.387
8. Danilo Petrucci, Italy (Ducati), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.607
9. Bradley Smith, UK (KTM), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.688
10. Scott Redding, UK (Aprilia), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.778
11. Jack Miller, Australia (Ducati), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.876
12. Franco Mobidelli, Italy (Honda), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.923
13. Takaaki Nakagami, Japan (Honda), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:38.992
14. Eugene Laverty, Ireland (Aprilia), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:39.485
15. Sylvain Guintoli, France (Suzuki), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:39.510
16. Alex Marquez, Spain (Honda), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:39.782
17. Xavier Simeon, Belgium (Ducati), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:40.332
18. Takumi Takahashi, Japan (Honda), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:41.089
Best Superbike Lap Times Of The Test (times provided by Circuito de Jerez):
1. Jonathan Rea, UK (Kawasaki), SBK, Pirelli, 1:37.986
2. Tom Sykes, UK (Kawasaki), SBK, Pirelli, 1:38.326
3. Alex Lowes, UK (Yamaha), SBK, Pirelli, 1:38.622
4. Leon Camier, UK (Honda), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.333
5. Xavi Fores, Spain (Ducati), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.384
6. Eugene Laverty, Ireland (Aprilia), MotoGP, Michelin, 1:39.485
7. Marco Melandri, Italy (Ducati), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.577
8. Michael Van Der Mark, Netherlands (Yamaha), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.577
9. Niccolo Canepa, Italy (Yamaha), SBK, Pirelli, 1:39.855
10. Michael Rinaldi, Italy (Ducati), SBK, Pirelli, 1:40.223
11. Loris Baz, France (BMW), 1:40.468
12. Eugene Laverty, Ireland (Aprilia), SBK, Pirelli, 1:40.551
13. Jordi Torres, Spain (MV Agusta), 1:40.595
14. Chaz Davies, UK (Ducati), SBK, Pirelli, 1:40.630
15. Leon Haslam, UK (Kawasaki), 1:40.768
16. Dan Linfoot, UK (Honda), SBK, Pirelli, 1:40.790
17. Lorenzo Savadori, Italy (Aprilia), 1:40.841
18. Jason O’Halloran, Australia (Honda), SBK, Pirelli, 1:40.950
19. Luke Mossey, UK (Kawasaki), 1:40.984
20. Leandro Mercado, Argentina (Kawasaki), 1:41.034
21. Yonny Hernandez, Colombia (Kawasaki), 1:42.476
22. Nacho Calero, Spain (Kawasaki), 1:45.067
More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki:
KRT Duo Set Amazing Test Times At Jerez
Kawasaki Racing Team riders Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes set a strong testing pace in a series of track outings at Jerez, sharing track time with numerous rival WorldSBK teams plus many top MotoGP competitors. Rea and Sykes were the fastest two WorldSBK riders on show over the test, and well inside the top echelons of the MotoGP lap times.
The Ninja ZX-10RR gave a good account of itself at Jerez in the final winter test of the 2017 calendar year, with Jonathan Rea setting a personal best of 1’37.986 and Tom Sykes 1’38.326, each on qualifying rear tyres. On a race tyre set-up Rea did a 1’38.8, on a harder rear tyre option on Friday morning, with Sykes setting a race tyre best of 1’39.3 earlier in the week.
The existing Jerez WorldSBK lap record, which was set recently in a race, stands at 1’40.640. The pole record, set on qualifying tyres, is currently 1’38.960.
The pace of Rea and Sykes was all the more impressive as they were using the 14,100rpm maximum rev limit imposed on the Ninja ZX-10RR by the 2018 technical regulations.
Rea rode for three days in all; Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He went back to the UK to collect his Member of the British Empire award (MBE) on Tuesday. He suffered a very fast fall on Wednesday but went out on track soon after on his spare bike to go just as fast as he had before.
Sykes rode for four days out of five and found improvements in overall race pace all the way to the end of the final test before the off-season begins.
The first winter test now completed, the next track action for the KRT squad will take place at Jerez once again, between 23rd and 24th January 2018.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “This test is really important for us and it is always held at a good time of year. The weather has been consistent so we have been really lucky. There is a lot of rubber down on the track so we were able to evaluate all the components we had to test and we ticked everything in the box. We had to confirm chassis components and a swingarm, and we worked a lot with Showa suspension on Wednesday. When we had everything boxed off we were able to test some new tyres from Pirelli. We also used this test to try out a qualifying tyre and to see our true potential over one lap. I was surprised to be so fast and go into the 1’37s. Good results do not just happen; it has been a lot of hard work. I am very proud of the team as they understood the regulation changes. We were able to hit the ground running when we came here on Monday.”
Tom Sykes, stated: “I am really happy with the way the tests have gone. That put a bit of a smile on my face and a spring in my step for the winter. I could honestly not have asked for any more. A big thanks to all the boys, they prepared two top-level bikes which made the testing much more efficient and I have to say I am very pleasantly surprised with my performance on race tyres. We tried a Q tyre, but it was in a bike with a slightly different set-up and chassis package. Since using that Q tyre we have improved the bike again and am very happy about this. It is a good way to go into the winter.”
Pere Riba, Crew Chief for Jonathan Rea, stated: “It was interesting to test different parts, matching in with next year’s technical rules. We concentrated to test engine character for next year and some parts in the engine. We understand that we will miss some power in the top because of the rev limitation. This means that somewhere you have to lose, and then compensate in some other areas. So if you want to make up some time you have to improve the braking areas, or corner speed, or in some other areas. We did not set-up the bike with clicks, geometry or whatever. All three days we kept the same chassis settings, but we just tested different items on the bike. From the January tests onwards we will start to test with the tools we have to make the final set-up of the bike. So far the race pace was very good and on a qualifying tyre we were crazy fast. So all very positive.”
Marcel Duinker, Crew Chief for Tom Sykes stated: “We had a very good test. We went back in time a little bit, from a set-up point of view. In the past couple of months we have been analysing what we have been doing in the last couple of years with set-up. Everybody knows we have been fast in the past. Of course this bike is not the same as the one from before but we have used all the knowledge we have gained in recent years, and brought the current bike and the ZX-10R set-up history together to move to the next point. Tom has shown a good initial lap time but, especially over a number of laps, he was impressively fast.”
More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
Testing concludes at Jerez for the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team
The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team concluded its track activities for 2017 with a three-day test at Jerez de la Frontera (Spain). Taking advantage of mild weather conditions, Marco Melandri clocked 208 laps to move forward with the development of the 2018-spec Panigale R, finishing with a personal best of 1:39.577. Chaz Davies, on the other hand, was only able to test on the first day after being forced to interrupt his program ahead of schedule due to a crash that resulted in a right-knee ligament sprain coupled with a contusion. The Welshman was thus able to complete only 64 laps, with a personal best of 1:40.630.
The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team’s garage also hosted Michael Ruben Rinaldi’s first outing on the WorldSBK-spec Panigale R as a reward for his title in the Superstock 1000 European Championship, seized at Jerez de la Frontera with the Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team. The Italian rider finished with a personal best of 1:40.223.
The team will now observe a winter break and will resume action on January 23-24 at Jerez de la Frontera for the first test of 2018.
Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #33)
“Overall, it has been a positive test. We focused on the big picture given the new regulations for 2018, without going into too much detail with the work on the setup and tyres, and we managed to evaluate most of the technical upgrades. We still need to work to optimize the engine and gearbox in their 2018 specifications, but we improved the feeling with the front and the overall handling of the bike. I tried to be as consistent as possible, as in this phase the sensations on the bike are more important than the best time itself. Now we’ll recharge to be in top shape for the next tests here in January.”
More, from a press release issued by Octo Pramac Racing:
Jerez Private Test – Circuito de Jerez – 23/24 November
A stunning 2017 MotoGp season concludes for Octo Pramac Racing after Jerez testing
Octo Pramac Racing’s 2017 MotoGP season ends up today with the second day of private testing at Jerez. An extraordinary season that saw Danilo Petrucci win 4 podiums (Mugello, Assen, Misano, Japan) and four front row start (Barcelona, Germany, Assen, Japan). And the great novelty of the 2018 season will be represented by Jack Miller, who already proved to be at ease on the Ducati Desmosedici GP in the official tests in Valencia last week.
The two days of private testing for Octo Pramac Racing began yesterday at the Jerez circuit where most MotoGP teams were present. The indications of the first day were positive with the 8th place for Petrux (52 laps completed) and the 9th position of Jack (62 laps completed).
In the second day both Petrucci and Miller worked mainly on set up and feeling. Despite a bad crash in the morning – fortunately without any consequences for the rider – Petrux returned to the track in the afternoon, improving his Thursday’s lap-time and finishing sixth. Miller finished in 9th position after intense work that saw him complete 65 laps.
Danilo Petrucci – 1’38.607
“We have worked a lot on the development and on the set up, trying out the new bike even if it’s still too early to give judgements. I’m sorry for the morning crash that gave a lot of work to the team. For this reason I would like to thank my entire squad. A season full of emotions ends and Now is the time to rest and get ready at the end of January”.
Jack Miller – 1’38.876
“After the two tests in Valencia and Jerez, I’m going through the winter break with great enthusiasm. I immediately felt good with the team and the feeling with the bike was positive. Of course there will be a lot to work to do in the winter tests to get competitive at the beginning of the season. If I have to be honest, though, I am very confident because the first sensations were really good”.
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki ECSTAR:
GOOD VIBES FOR THE LAST TEST OF 2017
Team Suzuki Ecstar has been busy the last three days on the Spanish circuit at Jerez de la Frontera with an intense session of private testing that saw Andrea Iannone, Alex Rins, and Sylvain Guintoli working hard for the 2018 season.
The main objective was to test many items on the machines that will guide the future development of the 2018 configuration. This week´s work will give the engineers feedback for the winter and finalise an ideal configuration of the machine for the next test in Sepang.
Ken Kawauchi – Technical Manager
“Overall I’m satisfied with this test. It has been three very intense days with a lot of work. Both the MotoGP riders, Andrea and Alex, and with the help of Sylvain were able to do many laps and allow us to collect important information. We brought here many items, but they were not completely new. They were all pieces that we had already tried in the past, one by one. Here in Jerez we needed to confirm their efficacy with some more intense testing and make comparisons, and also check the different combinations between individual pieces. It was crucial for us to determine the direction we have to take during the winter, so that we might define the best combination to compose the 2018 machine that we will bring to Sepang. It will be important to start on the right foot: next year we will have the concessions that will allow us to do more testing than others, but the calendar is very busy with one more race in Thailand. So honestly, I’m not sure we will be able to make much use of the concessions, finding more dates for testing in this tight schedule.”
Davide Brivio – Team Manager
“Here in Jerez we continued the work we had already started in Valencia last week. We again tested the new specs of the engine, which has a little more power, but also still proved to be as smooth as is per the Suzuki philosophy. This actually made the riders pretty happy. It’s not a huge step, but it is rideable, yet more powerful. Also, we double checked the improved chassis we tried out last week to draw comparisons and do back-to-back testing. Of course we also continued with the electronics, which is a process in which you never get to be completely satisfied. As usual we’ve worked on the traction control and engine braking configurations. This test gave us a lot of information and a clear idea about which direction to move for the finalisation of the machine that will arrive in Sepang at the end of January.”
Andrea Iannone
“This test was very intense because we wanted to try so many things, and overall I feel tired, but satisfied. First of all, we focused on the feeling, the new chassis, and different setups. Overall I can feel the many improvements. I was effective on the single lap time attack, but also very fast in the pace. One of the areas we wanted to improve was the consistency of performance from new to worn tyres, which means being able to keep competitive for the ideal time of a race. Then we had the engine with new specs, and we were able to do many laps in order to make a proper comparison. The feeling has improved. I was not expecting such a big step forward and I’m positively impressed. Anyway, we have to keep our feet on the ground and continue working. It’s good to have taken these steps, but we still have areas where we can improve, and that will be the task for the winter.”
Alex Rins
“The test was positive because we were able to try many different things and deliver important information to the engineers so that they are able to finalise the 2018 GSX-RR. We tested some parts again that we had previously tried in Valencia, and also Aragon, because we needed to confirm the data. The items proved to be effective and my feeling with the bike overall has improved. I feel I can be more confident in riding, which translates to an improvement in the lap time. I was impressed by the pace with the evolution chassis. We are not changing the nature of the bike; we are working on consistency, but improving the areas we feel are weak.”
Sylvain Guintoli
“It´s been a very good test for us here in Jerez. It felt great to be back in MotoGP mode and Michelin tyres mode again. We worked really hard to test many items, and in the end we managed to collect important feedback. It was also nice to share the comments with Andrea and Alex, and see how the GSX-RR has improved and could further be improved. The feeling at the end was great.”
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia Gresini Racing:
MOTOGP – LAST TESTS OF 2017 FOR APRILIA
SCOTT REDDING AND EUGENE LAVERTY ON THE TRACK WITH THE RS-GP MACHINES FOR THREE DAYS AT JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA
Aprilia and the entire MotoGP circus are preparing for the winter break with the final tests of the season at Jerez de la Frontera. This is a stop only for track sessions, because the Noale racing department is already hard at work on the 2018 version of the RS-GP, the youngest project on the grid in the Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing premier class which demonstrated outstanding progress in the season that has just come to an end, progressively getting closer to the top positions, both in races and in practice.
Thanks to some fair weather, the three days on the Andalusian circuit were intense ones for Aprilia. The RS-GP machines were ridden on the track by Scott Redding, the new arrival on Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, and tester Eugene Laverty who was subbing for Aleix Espargaró, dealing with fatigue to the hand he had injured in Australia.
Redding, after his first approach in Valencia, used this final test of the season to explore the possible settings that the Italian bike offers. He especially simulated the inputs that will be incorporated in the next evolution of the RS-GP in terms of geometry and weight distribution. The British rider demonstrated a good feeling, increasingly more comfortable both astride the Aprilia MotoGP and with his team.
As soon as he got off the RSV4 Superbike version, Eugene Laverty stayed in Jerez to tackle the three days of testing with the RS-GP. Also followed trackside by his teammate Lorenzo Savadori, he had some very positive things to say about the bike, praising the significant evolution compared to the tests more than 12 months ago. Eugene tested various setup and electronics configurations, skilfully taking on the role of tester and providing further information to the team in view of the 2018 season.
At the end of the 3 days, Scott Redding turned 176 laps (best 1’38.778) and Eugene Laverty did 210 (best 1’39.537).
SCOTT REDDING
“We made some good progress compared to Valencia where I was conditioned by the recently concluded race weekend. I’ve begun to adapt my riding style to take advantage of the strong points of the RS-GP and the guys at Aprilia worked hard to give me a bike that is closer to my needs. There is still a lot to do. We explored extremely different setup configurations here precisely to figure out which direction to follow in 2018. I am highly motivated because I can see that Aprilia trusts my indications and wants to give me a competitive package for next season. We have the potential to do well. Now I’ll get ready over the winter break, during which I’d like to lose a few pounds as well. This bike does not require a very physical ride, so I can afford to lose some weight. Even if it won’t be easy!”
EUGENE LAVERTY
“For me these were 5 very important days of testing: 2 with the RSV4 Superbike and the last 3 with the RS-GP. It was a great experience. I felt good on the MotoGP bike and I think it has great potential. I am very happy with how we worked with the team. I would like to continue being part of this project. Despite being in test configuration, on the final day I still tried to do a good time. My rider instinct took over! Unfortunately, I made a mistake that cost me a few tenths and I’m disappointed about that, but at the same time, I know that I contributed to developing the Aprilia MotoGP.”
ROMANO ALBESIANO – APRILIA RACING MANAGER
“With Scott we continued the process of adaptation to the RS-GP, gathering a large amount of data in view of 2018. The pace was also good, despite the fact that there are significant margins for improvement. Overall, we are satisfied with the technical direction we have taken with Redding. His sensations confirm the quality of our measured but effective work method. Eugene was a pleasant renewed contact. He took on the role of tester to perfection and provided a very valuable contribution. We worked especially on optimising components related to injection and consumption with him. Aleix was absent because we wanted to give him the time to make a full recovery from the injury he suffered in Australia. His performance in Valencia both during the weekend and during tests are a testament to his self-denial for this project. I can’t wait to get back to work with him after the winter break.”
FAUSTO GRESINI – TEAM MANAGER
“This was an important test to verify important parts in view of 2018 and to give Scott a chance to get to know the bike. Our goal was not pure performance but despite that, we were able to achieve a good pace. Going into the winter break with good sensations is fundamental. The guys at Aprilia are working on the new bike and I am sure that we will begin the new season at an outstanding level. Aleix was missing, but we preferred to let him rest and have him at full fitness for the beginning of the next tests.”
More, from a press release issued by Red Bull Honda:
Leon Camier impresses on debut test with Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team
Leon Camier has completed his first-ever test with the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team at ‘Circuito de Jerez’ in southern Spain, in which he got to grips with the team’s Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 machine for the first time. The 31-year-old Briton finished with an impressive best time of 1’39.333secs lap time after lapping the 4.423km fast-flowing Andalusian track 217 times over the course of the three days.
On the opening day of action, Camier got a first taste of Honda’s superbike machine with the bike in the specification used in Qatar for the 2017 season finale, in order for him to understand the character of the bike and make some small adjustments to improve riding position and comfort. Leon and the crew then began making more drastic changes to the set-up of the Fireblade on day two, which helped him get up to speed to break the 1’40secs barrier for the first time.
The final day saw Camier evaluating some new items developed for the 2018 season, which included a new swingarm and a differently reinforced chassis, and both positively welcomed by the new rider.
The team will now return to its headquarters in the Netherlands for what will be a busy winter before they return to the track on January 23-24 – once the testing ban draws to a close – for a two-day private test which will again take place at Jerez.
Leon Camier 2
I’m really, really happy with this three-day test. I managed to get up to speed quite quickly, and yesterday I was able to set decent lap-times on race tyres. Today it was more about understanding how the bike reacts to different changes – what works for me and what doesn’t. By the end of the day we had just about figured out how the bike needs to be set up, and we also tried some new components. Overall I think we found a really good base from which to develop, but obviously we need to see how it will work on different tracks and over race distances. But it’s been a great start, nonetheless, and I’m delighted.
Kervin Bos
Team Manager
We are more than happy with this first experience with Leon here at Jerez. It didn’t take him too long for him to get used to the Fireblade – which was exactly as it was when it left Qatar earlier this month – and step by step he was able to build a feel for it. He was pleased with what he found and pinpointed some really strong areas of the bike, something we were quite glad to hear. On the second day we made some bigger changes to the set-up by cross-referencing his feedback with the data we had, and his times improved a lot – along with the mood of the team! Today we worked on some new solutions for 2018, which again brought some positives. The main goal for the test was to make sure Leon could get comfortable with the bike and the team, but also to find a direction for the development of the package during the testing ban, which is going to be an extremely busy one for us!