FIM MotoGP World Championship Test
Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
May 7, 2018
Test Results (all on Michelin tires):
1. Johann Zarco, France (Yamaha), 1:37.730
2. Cal Crutchlow, UK (Honda), 1:37.947
3. Dani Pedrosa, Spain (Honda), 1:37.980
4. Maverick Vinales, Spain (Yamaha), 1:38.139
5. Marc Marquez, Spain (Honda), 1:38.232
6. Franco Morbidelli, Italy (Honda), 1:38.288
7. Tito Rabat, Spain (Ducati), 1:38.304
8. Takaaki Nakagami, Japan (Honda), 1:38.444
9. Jack Miller, Australia (Ducati), 1:38.586
10. Valentino Rossi, Italy (Yamaha), 1:38.673
11. Bradley Smith, UK (KTM), 1:38.674
12. Pol Espargaro, Spain (KTM), 1:38.684
13. Alvaro Bautista, Spain (Ducati), 1:39.135
14. Mika Kallio, Finland (KTM), 1:39.232
15. Thomas Luthi, Switzerland (Honda), 1:39.643
16. Xavier Simeon, Belgium (Ducati), 1:39.720
17. Xavi Cardelus, Andorra (Ducati), 1:45.040
More, from a press release issued by Monster Yamaha Tech3:
Zarco tops the testing time sheets in Jerez – Syahrin sits out
Just one day after his fantastic second place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, Johann Zarco was back on track today to go through some different settings aboard his Yamaha YZR-M1. Following some intense working hours and 63 laps at the Jerez Circuit, the French star concluded the official test superbly in first position and was even 0.226 seconds faster than during Qualifying last Saturday.
Meanwhile, Hafizh Syahrin decided, together with his experienced Monster Yamaha Tech3 crew, to skip the test in order to fully recover after struggling the entire weekend with pain from a bicycle accident. However, the Malaysian rookie used his time perfectly to gain more MotoGP experience.
Johann Zarco
Position: 1st – Time: 1’37.730 – Laps: 63
“The test today was good for me and I’m pretty happy that I was that fast. All the weekend in Jerez I was feeling good, so the target was to keep trying things with the setup and keep enjoying riding the bike. I think I understood many things during the race. Anyway, the target was to find more grip and use the bike well and at the moment it’s going quite good. I didn’t try any new parts, because I wanted to keep my work simple, so we were just working and trying things personally to improve ourselves. I did the 1’37.7 in the afternoon, which means the new tyre from Michelin was working well. You never have the same mind like in Qualifying, so I’m very happy, because I’m faster than Saturday.”
Hafizh Syahrin
Did not test
“Although I feel better today, we decided to skip the test in order to give my body some rest. Anyway, I used this day quite good, I went out on track to watch, I tried to learn a bit more about the electronic on the computer with my crew chief, we went through this weekend again, because I tried to understand everything to be able to make a really big step in Le Mans. The French Grand Prix is very important, it’s the home race for my team and I want to deliver a great weekend there.”
More, from a press release issued by Reale Avintia Racing:
Fast Rabat, Simeon improves and Cardelus makes his debut in MotoGP
MotoGP Jerez Test– Circuito Angel Nieto
Reale Avintia Racing team riders, Tito Rabat and Xavier Simeon, stayed today at Jerez for a one-day-test and both have been able to improve their feeling after a Spanish Grand Prix that was not as both expected.
Tito Rabat, who was disappointed yesterday despite scoring two championship points, improved his best lap time of qulaifying and completed a race simulation in 1’39s mid low and some 38. Rabat also worked hard to improve his feeling with the clutch to on the start, one of the main issues that affected his result on Sunday’s race.
Simeon also enjoyed a very productive test day, he changed his position on the bike, and now he is more comfortable and consistent. In the afternoon he had a small crash without consequences, and he leaves Jerez quite satisfied.
In addition to Tito Rabat and Xavier Simeon, in these test the team hosted, the Andorran rider Xavi Cardelus who made his debut in MotoGP as team’s test rider. His first experience with the Ducati has been very positive and after completing his first Grand Prix in Moto2 as a ‘wild card’ for Cardelus, testing one of the Reale Avintia Racing bikes has been the culmination of a week full of emotions.
Now the team will head to Le Mans, where the French GP will take place from May 18th to 20th.
Tito Rabat | 1’38.304
“This was a very positive test and we got very good conclusions. I have improved my qualifying lap time, we did a fast race simulation. But although all this makes me very happy inside I feel a great disappointment for not having been able to do it yesterday in the race, because the test doen’t count. In the end I spent a good time practicing exits; I already have clear how to start well and without problems, at least I’ll be able to maintain my position, because we can’t loose so much in the exits. Now I’m thinking in Le Mans where I hope to be fighting again in the top 10”.
Xavier Simeon | 1’39.720
“We have no new parts to test with this bikes, son we focused on trying new things to improve my feeling. We have changed my position on the bike we have seen positive things. I have found myself much better than during the race weekend. I have also worked a lot to change my riding style, but didn’t improve as much as I would like to. But we must be patient because it is a long process and every time I go a little better. I do not want to push myself, but it is clear that I would like to be much faster”.
Xavi Cardelus | 1’42.040
“In just a few days I had many emotions together. First for my debut in the Moto2 World Championship, and I think that it went quite well. And today testing the MotoGP bike was just amazing. I’m very happy and I don’t have words. I was surprised how fast is the bike, it’s incredible, but the biggest impact for me was acceleration. The carbon brakes are also interesting, they work in a very different way from what I’m used to, but I liked the feeling. It is also a bike that needs to be riden in a very special way, in 40 laps I to adapt my style, but it was not easy. I want to thank Raul Romero and the entire Reale Avintia Racing team for this opportunity and I hope to repeat it in the future”.
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
Marquez and Pedrosa complete productive post-race test
Fresh from yesterday’s masterful win, Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez was back on track in Jerez today for a one-day post-race test. Fortunately, teammate Dani Pedrosa, who had bruised his right leg crashing out of the race, was also able to complete his test schedule.
Dani managed 75 laps with a fastest time of 1’37.980” to finish third fastest for the day. Marc wrapped up his day earlier, having completed 62 laps, his best time of 1’38.232” placing him fifth fastest. Both riders collected valuable feedback to prepare ahead of the French GP in two weeks’ time.
Dani Pedrosa 26
3RD 1’37.980 (ON LAP 68 OF 75)
“I’m very happy with the work we did on the bike today. This morning I felt quite sore and stiff on my right side, but lap-by-lap I improved my feeling and I’m very happy I was able to complete this day of testing. We worked on the electronics and aerodynamics, along with the rest, and over the course of the day we improved our feeling, confidence, and rhythm, finding many positives while working on the bike and with the new items we tested. The team did a very good job.”
Marc Marquez 93
5TH 1’38.232 (ON LAP 21 OF 62)
“It was a good day of testing. We didn’t do so many laps, but we completed the schedule we had planned, working mainly on the aerodynamic package. We found some positives, but we need some additional confirmations at a different circuit because we’ll only have the chance to homologate one more fairing this season. All in all, I had a good feeling on the bike, as I did yesterday.”
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Zarco ahead of Crutchlow and Pedrosa in Jerez test
After a dramatic and pivotal Spanish GP, the premier class were back on track at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto on Monday for a one day Official Test. Nine teams were present – with the Ducati Team, Team Suzuki Ecstar and Aprilia Racing Team Gresini sitting it out – and there was a new Michelin rear tyre to test; part of this season’s allocation. By the end of action, Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) was the fastest man on track.
The Frenchman, who came second on Sunday, put in a best of 1:37.730 to go fastest, doing 63 laps and working on the bike ahead of his home Grand Prix next time out at Le Mans. Teammate Hafizh Syahrin didn’t test, however, sitting it out to recover from a cycling accident sustained before Jerez. Their fellow Yamaha machines on track, Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales at Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, likewise had nothing new to test but were focused on working through the issues they encountered during the race weekend at Jerez. Viñales ended the day in fourth, Rossi in 10th – with the two putting in a combined total of more than 120 laps.
At Honda, meanwhile, it was Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) who was quickest – just over two tenths off Zarco – searching for rear grip. Right behind him was Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), who put in more than 70 laps despite his continued recovery from a broken wrist. Pedrosa and teammate and Spanish GP winner Marc Marquez, who was fifth, broke cover with some different aerodynamic solutions and fairings, as well as working on setup and electronics.
Fastest rookie Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) put his RC213V in an impressive P6 after 66 laps, refining and working on improving on his debut in the premier class – as was teammate Tom Lüthi, who suffered a crash but rider ok and ending the day in P15. Fellow Honda-riding rookie Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) was P8 by the end of action.
The fastest Borgo Panigale machine was Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing), who was P7 and did the most laps – nearly 90 – with teammate and rookie Xavier Simeon in P16. Xavier Cardelus was also on track testing with the team, fresh from his Moto2™ wildcard. Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) was ninth overall and focused on reconfirming positives from the weekend, putting in 38 laps. The Angel Nieto Team were on track with Alvaro Bautista, who was P13, as they compared different setups after a more positive GP.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, who were out with Pol Espargaro, Bradley Smith and test rider Mika Kallio, had a busy day. Smith was P11, Espargaro P12 and Kallio P14, working with the bike used by their race riders in the Spanish GP – and also testing the 2019 bike ridden to the Austrian factory’s first top ten of the year by Kallio in his wildcard on Sunday; a key positive.
Now it’s time to saddle up for Le Mans, with French hero and fastest man on Monday, Johann Zarco, just 12 points off Marquez in the title fight and aiming high on home turf.
More, from a press release issued by Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS:
Morbidelli and Lüthi close out Jerez weekend with a positive test
Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS riders Franco Morbidelli and Tom Lüthi completed a positive MotoGP test at the Jerez circuit today.
For Morbidelli the one-day test provided an opportunity to further refine the set up of his Honda RC213V, after securing his first top ten finish in the premier class in yesterday’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Today the Italian focussed mainly on increasing traction on a used rear tyre, testing a number of different rear suspension settings with positive results.
Despite a high-speed crash without injury at turn four late in the day, Lüthi also declared himself happy with the progress made during today’s Jerez test.
Having struggled to find a good feeling with the front of his Honda RC213V during the weekend, changes to the balance of the bike saw Lüthi regain the confidence that was missing in yesterday’s race.
Morbidelli and Lüthi will be back on track for the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, which gets underway with free practice on Friday 18th May.
Franco Morbidelli: 66 Laps – 1’38.288
“Today was a positive test for us. We tried some changes to the bike that we didn’t have time to test over the race weekend and the results were good. We spent a lot of time on used tyres, working on the rear suspension settings to improve grip and we made some progress. A good test where I was able to work well with my crew and now I’m looking forward to the next race in Le Mans.”
Tom Lüthi: 44 Laps – 1’39.643
“We made some changes to the front of the bike today and this was very, very interesting. We definitely made a step forward compared to where we were for the race yesterday so it’s a pity that the crash meant I wasn’t able to confirm the new settings on new tyres. The feeling was good, definitely better, and my pace was quicker than in the race yesterday, but we will need to confirm the same on the soft tyre next week in Le Mans. Overall a positive day but also a shame that I was too sore to continue after the crash.”
Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
“Apart from Tom’s crash, which came late in the day, this has been a very positive test for the team. Franco rounded off a very successful weekend, his best so far in MotoGP, by making another step forward with the bike and this will stand him in good stead next week in Le Mans. Tom and his crew tried some fairly big changes today in a bid to improve his feeling and confidence in the front. It looks as if they have made a significant improvement but we decided to stop the test early following Tom’s crash, so we will need to confirm everything in Le Mans during free practice.”
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Castrol:
CRUTCHLOW ON THE PACE AGAIN AT JEREZ TEST
LCR Honda Castrol rider Cal Crutchlow was back out on the track at Jerez on Monday with the majority of the MotoGP field for a day of official testing. The Briton endured a frustrating end to what had been a hugely promising weekend on Sunday as he was forced to retire from Spanish Grand Prix having started the race from pole position.
Crutchlow spent the day trying to address the rear grip issues that had undermined his hopes in Sunday’s race. The 32-year-old again demonstrated the pace he had spectacularly showcased during qualifying as he posted the second fastest time of the day by the end of his testing schedule. Although understandably still disappointed by Sunday’s result, Crutchlow is satisfied with the way his team continue to work ahead of the next round in France.
Cal Crutchlow – 2nd
(1’37.947 – lap 57 of 67)
“Today was a positive day, as you could see by the times we underlined our speed over the weekend, but it doesn’t make yesterday any easier to accept. But we worked again in a positive way and I felt good with the bike. We still need to find some rear grip compared to our competitors, because eventually we end up overheating the front tyre because there isn’t enough rear grip. That’s the situation, but we’re pleased with the way the team worked and Honda have done a good job as well to assess our situation and try to help us a little. We’ll go to the next race in Le Mans in a positive frame of mind.”
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Idemitsu:
NAKAGAMI PLEASED WITH POSITIVE TEST
Following yesterday’s Spanish Grand Prix, LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider Takaaki Nakagami today joined the majority of the MotoGP class back out on the track at Jerez for a day of official testing. The Japanese rookie produced his best result of the season so far on Sunday as he claimed 12th position, maintaining his record of having finished every race this year.
On Monday, Nakagami continued that positive form as he was amongst the leading riders, posting the sixth fastest time of the day by the time he ended his testing schedule. The 26-year-old was delighted with the progress he made and is now looking ahead to a one-day test in Mugello.
Takaaki Nakagami– 8th
(1’38.444 – lap 70 of 74)
“I’m really happy about the work we’ve done. It was a positive test for us, we didn’t work on that many things, but we tried to make a plan and work on different set ups and different materials. It worked well, we had a much better feeling this weekend and the lap time is much more consistent. We did many laps in the mid 38s so I’m really happy about the feeling on the bike. I think we have made one or two steps forward, so I’m very thankful to the team who are always helping me a lot. Now we’re going for a one-day test at Mugello which is a very high speed track and a new experience for me, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
More, from a press release issued by Movistar Yamaha:
MOVISTAR YAMAHA IMPROVE FEELING AT ONE-DAY JEREZ TEST
Within 24 hours after the finish of the Gran Premio de España, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP riders Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi were back on the track at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto. They completed the one-day official IRTA test in 4th and 10th place respectively.
JEREZ IRTA TEST
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain – 7th May 2018
TEST
18:00 LOCAL TIME GMT+2AIR 24°C / TRACK 35°CCLOUDY / HUMIDITY 48%
4th
MAVERICK VIÑALES
1’38.139 / 64 LAPS
10th
VALENTINO ROSSI
1’38.673 / 69 LAPS
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 7th May 2018
The Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team spent an extra day in Jerez today, after yesterday’s Gran Premio de España, to take part in a one-day Official IRTA Test. Maverick Viñales was the 4th fastest rider, whilst Valentino Rossi wrapped up the testing session in 10th position.
After a difficult race weekend, the teammates returned to the track after 11AM to evaluate various settings and testing items.
Viñales briefly topped the rankings with his fastest time of the day – a 1’38.139s, set on lap 19 – before he took the opportunity to assess various settings. He ended a full day of testing in fourth place, 0.409s from the top of the timesheets, and completed 64 laps in total. He looks forward to putting the new data to use at the next Grand Prix of France, held in two weeks’ time.
Teammate Rossi was also motivated to get back to work at the Jerez track, where he completed his 40,075th km of Grand Prix racing (the equivalent of a lap around the world) on lap 15 during yesterday‘s race. He put his vast experience to good use today when he compared solutions for his YZR-M1 and tried some new Michelin tyres. He rode 69 laps and took tenth place in the timesheets with a best lap time of 1’38.673s, 0.943s from the fastest rider.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI
TEAM DIRECTOR
Our main objective for us today was to find a solution to the problems we faced during the weekend. Unfortunately the weather conditions weren’t quite as hot and sunny as they were yesterday, but we were still able to successfully compare set-ups by doing back-to-back runs. We also tried some new testing items and it was positive that we noticed a benefit. Now we’ll leave the last few days behind us. The new data has lifted the team’s mood, and from here we’ll fully focus on the future as we prepare for the next Grand Prix in Le Mans.
MAVERICK VIÑALES
Monday tests are always positive for us, but we need to be strong on Sundays. We have to see in the next few days if we can improve further. Today I enjoyed riding the bike again, but we still have work to do. I finally found a good rhythm, it was nothing special, but a good consistent rhythm all the same. I think the track was much better today, more grippy, especially in the morning. At the next test in Mugello we’ll try to get more answers.
VALENTINO ROSSI
We had a lot of things to do and it was a good test. We tried some different solutions, some were better, some less so, but it was important and we improved a bit. For me, at the next test we’ll have something more important to try. The new Michelin tyres are very good, they improved a lot, they gave a lot more grip and you can go faster, so they gave a good feeling.