Best Race Lap Record: 1:38.051, Marc Marquez, 2019
All-Time Lap Record: 1:36.880, Fabio Quartararo, 2019
FIM MotoGP World Championship
Circuito De Jerez
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
November 26, 2019
Day Two Test Results (all on Michelin tires):
- Marc Marquez, Spain (Honda), 1:37.820
- Alex Rins, Spain (Suzuki), 1:37.837
- Joan Mir, Spain (Suzuki), 1:37.959
- Maverick Vinales, Spain (Yamaha), 1:37.964
- Fabio Quartararo, France (Yamaha), 1:37.973
- Andrea Dovizioso, Italy (Ducati), 1:37.986
- Franco Morbidelli, Italy (Yamaha), 1:38.100
- Jack Miller, Australia (Ducati), 1:38.113
- Pol Espargaro, Spain (KTM), 1:38.211
- Valentino Rossi, Italy (Yamaha), 1:38.352
- Andrea Iannone, Italy (Aprilia), 1:38.442
- Danilo Petrucci, Italy (Ducati), 1:38.452
- Cal Crutchlow, UK (Honda), 1:38.674
- Tito Rabat, Spain (Ducati), 1:38.813
- Aleix Espargaro, Spain (Aprilia), 1:38.940
- Sylvain Guintoli, France (Suzuki), 1:38.962*
- Alex Marquez, Spain (Honda), 1:39.224
- Dani Pedrosa, Spain (KTM), 1:39.594*
- Michele Pirro, Italy (Ducati), 1:39.845*
- Iker Lecuona, Spain (KTM), 1:39.880
- Bradley Smith, UK (Aprilia), 1:39.884*
- Brad Binder, South Africa (KTM), 1:39.943
- Eric Granado, Brazil (Ducati), 1:49.921*
*test rider
Overall Test Results (all on Michelin tires):
- Maverick Vinales, Spain (Yamaha), 1:37.131
- Marc Marquez, Spain (Honda), 1:37.820
- Alex Rins, Spain (Suzuki), 1:37.837
- Fabio Quartararo, France (Yamaha), 1:37.885
- Joan Mir, Spain (Suzuki), 1:37.959
- Andrea Dovizioso, Italy (Ducati), 1:37.986
- Franco Morbidelli, Italy (Yamaha), 1:38.100
- Jack Miller, Australia (Ducati), 1:38.113
- Pol Espargaro, Spain (KTM), 1:38.211
- Cal Crutchlow, UK (Honda), 1:38.253
- Valentino Rossi, Italy (Yamaha), 1:38.352
- Danilo Petrucci, Italy (Ducati), 1:38.358
- Andrea Iannone, Italy (Aprilia), 1:38.442
- Aleix Espargaro, Spain (Aprilia), 1:38.500
- Tito Rabat, Spain (Ducati), 1:38.813
- Sylvain Guintoli, France (Suzuki), 1:38.962*
- Alex Marquez, Spain (Honda), 1:39.224
- Bradley Smith, UK (Aprilia), 1:39.588*
- Dani Pedrosa, Spain (KTM), 1:39.594*
- Michele Pirro, Italy (Ducati), 1:39.652*
- Iker Lecuona, Spain (KTM), 1:39.880
- Brad Binder, South Africa (KTM), 1:39.943
- Eric Granado, Brazil (Ducati), 1:43.056*
*test rider
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Marquez ends a rain-interrupted Day 2 on top
The reigning Champion signs off fastest – before heading for surgery on Wednesday
Tuesday, 26 November 2019
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was fastest on Day 2 of the Jerez test, the reigning Champion posting a 1:37.820 on Tuesday morning to sign off for the season on top – although there were more headlines for the number 93 than just on-track. From the test, Marquez will now head for surgery on his right shoulder after a crash on Day 1 of the test exacerbated a problem that had already begun to plague him. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was second quickest and just 0.017 in arrears, with his teammate Joan Mir completing the top three on Tuesday.
Day 2 at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto was largely disrupted by rain, with the riders getting limited dry track time before the wet weather arrived at around 12:15 local time. On a wet track, less than half the field ventured out, but those who did include MotoGP™ rookies Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Iker Lecuona (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), as all three used the time to test out their new machines in the different conditions.
Before that, however, Marquez had swiftly got down to business, setting the second fastest time of the test overall – and the quickest of the day – on his third flying lap. The number 93 retained three bikes in the garage as on Day 1, and the partial dislocation of his right shoulder suffered on Monday didn’t seem to be affecting him out on track but Marquez then announced he has elected to have surgery as a preventative measure after medical consultation. The operation will be similar to the one performed on his left shoulder at the end of 2018. Rookie Alex Marquez was 17th, and Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) 13th on Tuesday – although the Brit put in limited laps.
Limited laps was true for many and definitely for Mir, who did only 12 laps to end the day in third, with Alex Rins putting in twice that and turning the tables on his teammate on Day 2. Test rider Sylvain Guintoli did 14 laps for the Hamamatsu factory, but the Team Suzuki Ecstar camp seem very pleased with their early 2020 progress with the new engine. “Back-to-back” testing with 2019 and 2020 parts was key for Team Manager Davide Brivio, and all three riders improved their laptime on Tuesday morning.
Yamaha ended Tuesday in fourth with Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) – although the number 12 remains fastest overall – and he put in 15 laps. Across the two days, Yamaha duo Viñales and Valentino Rossi continued testing the 2020 YZR-M1, with both having one 2020 – with a slightly different fuel tank – and one 2019 M1 in their garage. On Day 1, Rossi did a lot of his running with a carbon swingarm. However, that wasn’t the case on Day 2, with the number 46 running an aluminium swingarm on both of his bikes. Viñales seemed content using the aluminium swingarm for most of the test, with both riders saying small steps have been made with the 2020 engine. Rossi ended Tuesday in 10th, half a second off the top after 33 laps – more laps than most.
Over at Petronas Yamaha SRT, Fabio Quartararo was fifth on Tuesday and teammate Franco Morbidelli seventh. They confirmed they had been trying “a 2020 prototype” Yamaha engine specification in Jerez. The carbon swingarm didn’t appear on Day 2 for the duo, but it was a solid looking test for Quartararo and Morbidelli heading into the winter break.
Sixth fastest Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and 12th fastest Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) continued to work on Ducati’s new chassis on both days in Jerez, with both riders confirming it’s a step in the right direction. On Day 2, test rider Michele Pirro was seen using a new aero piece on the front wheel too. Jack Miller and Pramac Racing, meanwhile, completed just four laps on Day 2 as the rain saw them pack up early for the winter, but the Australian finished P8 on the day and combined standings after improving his time on Tuesday, the last rider within a second of Viñales’ overall best.
At Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, MotoGP™ Legend and test rider Dani Pedrosa was back out on track after missing Day 1 through illness and he did 11 laps. Pol Espargaro, fastest KTM in ninth, continued to lap with a new RC16 with the orange chassis. There was also a new fairing and new aero setup on display across the two days as Espargaro seems pleased with the Austrian factory’s progress. Binder was lapping on the ‘old’ bike and did a good amount of laps before the rain came on Tuesday morning, and as aforementioned the South African also headed out in the wet. Lecuona was also still on the ‘old’ bike as both rookies’ aim was to get more comfortable on the MotoGP™ machine. Lecuona and Binder ended the test 20th and 22nd respectively on Tuesday.
Aprilia Racing Team Gresini and Aleix Espargaro had a new front wheel cover on Day 2 in Andalucia, an all-in-one piece with the front mudguard, wheel cover and caliper duct. He was 15th after 24 laps. Andrea Iannone, on the other side of the garage, only did four laps on Day 2 but finished eleventh. Test rider Bradley Smith, 21st on Tuesday, completed the most laps of anyone on Day 2 – 43.
Catch up on the two 2020 preseason tests so far on motogp.com with coverage, interviews and more, and stay tuned over the winter as the start of the season fast approaches! Qatar will be here faster than you think…
More, from a press release issued by Pramac Racing:
#JerezTest. Two days of official MotoGP testing at Jerez conclude for Jack Miller and Pramac Racing. See you in Malaysia!
The last two days of testing of the 2019 MotoGP season, ended today at the Circuit of Jerez – Angel Nieto. Jack Miller worked hard to test new parts of the Ducati Desmosedici 2020 that he will have available from the Sepang tests scheduled for early February 2020.
The Australian completed 51 laps in the first day of testing while today, due to the rain, he was able to complete only 4 laps, still managing to lower by more than three tenths of a second his best time recorded in Day-1.
Francesco Bagnaia did not take part in the tests, however, as he has already started to work to recover the best physical condition after the bad crash in the FP3 of #Valencia GP.
Jack Miller
They were two very productive days even if today we could not lap much because of the rain. But I am very satisfied because I was able to try new solutions that we will find in Malaysia when I will have the 2020 version of the Desmosedici GP. I would like to say a big thank you to Ducati and Pramac Racing. It has been a satisfying season and since the Sepang tests we will be working to improve even further. Happy holidays to everyone.
More, from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Tech3:
Lecuona gathers first wet experiences in Jerez
The final day of testing in 2019 saw Red Bull KTM Tech3’s MotoGP rookie Iker Lecuona finishing 20th after 26 laps. Following some dry time this morning, where he went slightly quicker than on day one, the rain arrived at the Circuito de Jerez at lunchtime, cutting the proceedings short, but at the same time delivering an interesting chance to Lecuona to go out on a wet track for the very first time in the MotoGP category.
Iker Lecuona
Position: 20th
Time: 1:39.880
Laps: 26
“It was my first time in wet conditions and to be honest, it was quite strange. I need more laps, but finally I went quite fast. I liked the feeling, although I didn’t find out the limit in every point. I’m happy, but with some sectors not too much. For next year, I know that I need to improve in all the points, which is clear as long as you are not finishing first. I need work on my riding, on the brakes and picking up the bike, but finally in the wet it all went quite well and in general, I’m very happy.”
Hervé Poncharal
Team Manager
“It was the final day on track for the Red Bull KTM Tech3 MotoGP outfit in 2019. We would have hoped for better weather in order to continue the learning process with Iker and in order to have more data with Dani Pedrosa, which was an important mission, but you know, we can control a few things, but for sure never the weather. Still, I think it was quite good we had the chance to do quite a few laps with Iker on the wet and I have to say that I was really impressed. I don’t know if it’s the Supermotard experience, but he likes the Michelin wet a lot, he likes the KTM RC16 a lot on the wet and I think he had a lot of fun and the lap time was really good, too. So, this was not a wasted day. Outside of that, we saw that the three rookies in the MotoGP class are quite fast and I believe that there will be an interesting fight next year. Sure, Iker will be full on to fight for the crown. Now it’s time to wish everyone a good winter break, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you to the whole team! Let’s have a good rest and see each member full of energy and well rested in Sepang.”
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia Gresini Racing:
THE JEREZ TESTS OFFICIALLY CLOSE OUT THE MOTOGP SEASON
FINAL LAPS OF 2019 FOR ESPARGARÓ, IANNONE AND SMITH
Two days of tests in Jerez de la Frontera officially closed out the MotoGP season. The tests were partially marred by the weather, with rain falling on the Spanish track during the final session.
In Noale, work continues non-stop on the new 2020 RS-GP, a revamped project with the clear goal of marking a turning point for Aprilia. So, Aleix Espargaró, Andrea Iannone and Bradley Smith worked on the 2019 package, analysing new solutions, especially in terms of electronics, making progress from which the new prototype will be able to benefit.
The Spanish tests were also a chance for the new engineers who have embraced the Aprilia project to make their début, important reinforcements in anticipation of the new season that will start with the Sepang tests in February 2020.
ALEIX ESPARGARÒ
“The Jerez tests are more relevant than the Valencia tests because this is a more traditional and more indicative track. We continued working on the 2019 package with a few changes to the electronics, which is an area we are strengthening. Now the ball is in the Aprilia engineers’ court as they develop the 2020 prototype. The coming months will be crucial in achieving the objective of having the new bike on the track in Sepang.”
ANDREA IANNONE
“Unfortunately, we were a bit limited during these two days, both because of the weather and because I arrived in Jerez with a fever. In any case, we found some interesting things to work on over the winter in order to show up in Sepang stronger than before. The work done by Michelin on the new tyres also seemed to go very well. I’ll stay in contact with the guys in Noale now to follow development of the new bike. It will be important for me to be able to make a step forward next season.”
BRADLEY SMITH
“Our programme here was not much different than the one in Valencia. We are gathering the final data that will allow the racing department to refine the 2020 bike. The weather wasn’t the best, especially on the second day, but we tried to provide as much information as possible, even lapping in the wet.”
More, from a press release release issued by Ducati:
Day 2 of MotoGP testing at Jerez is brought to an early end by the rain, with Dovizioso finishing sixth and Petrucci in twelfth
The rain that fell at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit late in the morning brought an early end to the final day of 2019 MotoGP testing for the riders of the Ducati Team.
Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci could in fact only complete five and ten laps respectively, without being able to carry on with today’s scheduled development work. Dovizioso set a best lap time of 1’37.986 while Petrucci lapped in a 1’38.452 after fitting the tyres he used yesterday.
The MotoGP World Championship will now begin a two-month winter break and the teams and riders will next be back on track at Sepang (Malaysia) from 7th to 9th February 2020 for the first official testing session of the new year.
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
Rain ends Jerez Test early for Repsol Honda Team
Midday rain meant the final day of testing in 2019 was cut short, teams making the most of the morning before the conditions worsened.
With the forecast looking bleak, Marc Marquez was among the first riders on track in Jerez as the final day of 2019 commenced. An early in the day 1’37.820 immediately had the World Champion atop the day’s timing table and second overall. More track time would have been welcomed as there is always more to test, but Marc and team are content with what has been accomplished since the flag dropped in the Valencia race.
Likewise, Alex Marquez was left wishing for better track conditions in order to improve his feeling on the RC213V. A best time of 1’39.224, set on the morning of the second day, leaves the 23-year-old as the fastest rookie of the test. The reigning Moto2 World Champion will now begin an intense off season to prepare himself for his debut in the premier class when the lights go out in Qatar.
Marc Marquez will now travel to Barcelona for an operation on his right shoulder at the Hospital Universitari Dexeus-Quiron on Wednesday, November 27. The Repsol Honda Team rider has elected to have the operation as a preventative measure after medical consultation. The operation will be similar to the one performed on his left shoulder at the end of 2018.
The Repsol Honda Team will be back on track for the Sepang Test, February 07 to 09.
Marc Marquez
1’37.820
“Theses two days were very positive for us, working with the 2020 items we have and trying to find the right direction. On the first day we tried a lot of things and then today we started with the best of what we found yesterday. Unfortunately, we only did 20 laps before the rain came. It wasn’t wet enough to properly test in the wet and it certainly wasn’t dry. Now it’s time for the staff in HRC Japan to analyse everything.
“This winter I would have liked to have a nice holiday and enjoy a bit of quiet time after a great 2019 – but it is time to have surgery on the right shoulder. As everyone knows, last winter was very tough for me with the operation on the left shoulder, which was very, very damaged. I want to avoid the situation where my right shoulder is in this condition in the future so I spoke a lot with the doctors to see what our options were. Before Motegi I had some issues with the shoulder and then after the crash in Malaysia I had a subluxation. Here at the test I had another subluxation after the crash, so we decided with the doctors that it was best to have the surgery to avoid the situation we had with the other shoulder. It will take more or less the same time and we will work in the same way to arrive at the Malaysia test as strong as possible.”
Alex Marquez
1’39.224
“The weather was like it was, which wasn’t perfect but in the morning we were able to make another step and improved our time on used tyres. This is good news for us. Like yesterday, when we put new tyres in it started to rain so this is still something we have to look at. We were able to try the bike a little bit in the wet and it felt good. I’m happy with this second day of testing even if there’s still a lot of work to do. I know what I need to do at home to be ready in Sepang.”
More, from a press release issued by LCR Castrol Honda:
CRUTCHLOW BRINGS 2019 ACTION TO CLOSE AT DAMP JEREZ TEST
After the MotoGP racing season finished just over a week ago in Valencia, Cal Crutchlow today brought the curtain down on the on-track action for the LCR Honda CASTROL Team in 2019, by completing the second of two days testing in Jerez, Spain.
The Andalusian tests were hampered by rain on both days, but Crutchlow still managed to put in 66 laps on day one, before completing 14 on day two, with lap times from all riders mostly well behind those from the Spanish Grand Prix and subsequent test back in May.
MotoGP’s official testing ban begins this weekend, and runs until the beginning of February when Crutchlow will be back out at the Malaysian circuit at Sepang on the 7th. After three days there, he and the squad move on to Qatar for a further three-day test from the 22nd-24th February, ahead of the season-opener under lights at the same Losail circuit on 8th March.
Cal Crutchlow – 10th overall
(1’38.253 – 80 laps)
“On day one we did a short evaluation of a few parts with the 2019 bike. We were happy enough with how the day went. We couldn’t get too many laps because the weather wasn’t fantastic. On a normal test here we could probably do 100 laps in a day, but on the first day this time we only did 60-ish and today just 14. Overall, we’re happy with the work we managed to fit in”.
“Day two wasn’t too useful as regards our plans to make steps forward with the 2020 project. It’s a shame for everyone that the weather hasn’t been great, but we will work with the engineers in the factory over winter to make sure we have the best package available for the 2020 season.”
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki ECSTAR:
JEREZ TEST CONCLUSION BRINGS CALENDAR YEAR TO A CLOSE
Alex Rins: 2nd – 1:37.837 (+ 0.017)
Joan Mir: 3rd – 1:37.959 (+ 0.139)
Sylvain Guintoli: 16th – 1:38.962 (+ 1.142)
The second day of testing action at Circuit Angel Nieto in Jerez, Spain, allowed Team SUZUKI ECSTAR to draw useful final conclusions despite weather conditions bringing an early close to proceedings.
The riders continued their work on the 2020 spec. engine, completing evaluations ahead of the first 2020 test in Malaysia in February. All three riders once again reported positive findings from this engine.
Alex Rins put in a run of consistently quick laps which gave him added confidence, while Joan Mir spent some time working on electronics. Sylvain Guintoli also added his experienced feedback into the mix and reported that the testing plan is going very well.
However, the session was brought to an early close after steady rains struck Andalucia. December will see the usual ‘winter testing ban’ meaning Team SUZUKI ECSTAR will be back on track in the New Year.
Ken Kawauchi:
“Unfortunately, the second day didn’t allow us much dry track time, but this test combined with the Valencia test has allowed us to see how things are going for next year. We can see how our bike is starting to form, and the parts we’ve tried have confirmed our initial hopes. We’ve made a step – not a big step – but a sure step.”
Davide Brivio:
“We’ve finished this final test of the year in a good mood, the feedback from the riders about the engine has been positive, and this has meant we can decide on the spec. for next year. It’s been interesting and useful to go through other things such as electronics settings and general bike settings. Now that we’ve finalised the engine, in Sepang we’ll continue to work on other areas such as the chassis. The riders deserve some rest now after a long and good season; we’ll be ready for the New Year!”
Alex Rins:
“These two days have been really nice because we confirmed a lot of things and we’re satisfied with the new engine. I only managed to do two runs in the dry, but I was very happy with my pace, I bettered my lap time from yesterday. I did three or four laps in the early 38s, as well as a fast lap of 1:37.837, and it felt good. Now it’s time for the winter break, and to come back fresh in the new year.”
Joan Mir:
“We weren’t able to do a lot of laps today because of the conditions, but we still managed to work on the electronics areas, and this was positive because we noticed the difference. I set a strong lap, even after being out on track for a while. Overall, after four days of testing – two here and two in Valencia – the feeling is very positive and I’m already looking forward to coming back after the holidays.”
Sylvain Guintoli:
“Today was a pretty short today, but we still managed to do almost everything we wanted to and everything we planned. 2019 has now drawn to a close and we’re so excited for next year because the 2020 spec. already looks really promising. The test team are doing more and more and our close bond with the factory side is going well, we’re seeing the results of this work.”
More, from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM:
MOTOGP WORK WRAPS FOR 2019 AT RAINY JEREZ TEST
MotoGP 2020 IRTA test Jerez (ESP)
Red Bull KTM riders lapped a damp and cool Jerez circuit in southern Spain to complete their second 2020 pre-season test this week and close a hectic third year of MotoGP action.
Less than a week after the initial run-out for 2020 MotoGP at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia both Red Bull KTM and Red Bull KTM Tech3 were both back on-track but further south in the Iberian Peninsula and around the curves of Jerez.
Throughout Monday and Tuesday looming clouds threatened poor weather conditions and although some good work and laps were achieved on the first day, the second was largely washed out due to the wet climate.
Pol Espargaro ploughed ahead with work on the 2020 configuration of the KTM RC16 and maintained a steady position in the top ten of the fastest times. The Spaniard tried a new aerodynamic package on Monday. Teammate Brad Binder took advantage of both the dry and wet state of the course to continue his acclimatisation to the MotoGP race bike. Fellow rookie Iker Lecuona suffered a crash on Monday but was also eager to circulate whenever possible to gather information. Test rider Dani Pedrosa missed Monday through illness but logged some mileage at Jerez on Tuesday.
2019 preparations for KTM’s fourth season in the premier class are now complete and MotoGP enters a testing ‘blackout’ during December and January until the engines are started again at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia in early February.
Pol Espargaro: “The last test of 2019 and we were not so lucky with the weather which mean we could not work as much as we wanted. Fortunately, we did some laps this morning when we felt quite good and we were just three tenths away from the top guy with ten laps on the tyre, which was important for consistency. Overall the pre-season has been very good. We did a lot and tested a lot of new stuff at Valencia and we have been fast. Now it’s time for the winter and after healing a little bit I will try to work harder than I did last year to try and come back in better shape. I’m already looking forward to trying the 2020 RC16 again in Malaysia.”
Brad Binder: “We decided to do a couple of laps when it was a little bit wet just to get the feeling of the new bike and that was really awesome. I’m glad I got a chance to experience that. It’s been difficult these last two tests. It hasn’t been easy to adapt to the new bike but I think I’ve got a lot to think about now in the off-season and hopefully we can try to make a step in Sepang. I think I just need to improve my riding; my feeling with the front a little bit and just being able to have confidence to put the bike where I want to, especially on the entry to corners. I think once I get that right the rest will fall into place.”
Iker Lecuona: “It was my first time in wet conditions and to be honest it was quite strange. I need more laps but finally I went quite fast. I liked the feeling, although I didn’t find the limit in every point. I’m happy, but not too much with some sectors. For next year, I know I need to work on my riding, on the brakes and picking up the bike but finally in the wet it all went quite well and in general, I’m very happy.”
Mike Leitner, Red Bull KTM Team Manager: “Our wish was for two full days of testing but we know at this time of year the weather can be difficult. Actually, we were still able to confirm a lot of things we tried in Valencia. Generally we are happy and we can send our riders into the winter break fit – which is very important – and the technical summaries we made were also good. Pol worked further on a 2020 direction and we saw today, especially in the wet, that Brad is starting to get the feel for the MotoGP bike. It was nice to see. Pol worked well and found positive points of the new material but we are still not at the point where we can say ‘everything is fixed’, we have to go to Sepang and work hard there but the important information has come across and we can plan for Malaysia and Qatar. We’ll go home and reload the batteries a little bit and then keep pushing for next February.”
Sebastian Risse, Technical Director MotoGP: “In Valencia we introduced next year’s package and we mainly focussed on this here with Pol and Dani in terms of the changes, the strong points and generally how it rates. We also had some more engine development going on with different specs, and we understood how this can work on different tracks and how it can be a universal package for next year. There were also some ‘aero’ ideas that were not ready for Valencia but we could try it here and we got some good data: we are going into the winter thinking about we will put it together. We’ll also need to think carefully about logistics because we will have four riders on factory bikes next year so it will be quite a challenge in the next month. We leave here quite happy even if the weather was not that great today and stopped us a little bit.”
More, from a press release issued by PETRONAS Yamaha SRT:
PETRONAS Yamaha SRT sign off 2019 with successful Jerez test
Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli conclude team’s debut season with fourth and seventh at Circuito de Jerez Ángel Nieto
Jerez test – 26 November 2019
Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli signed off their 2019 MotoGP campaign with a successful two-day test at Spain’s Circuito de Jerez Ángel Nieto, ending up fourth and seventh overall. Ending the second day early due to weather conditions, they still managed to gain valuable experience of new prototype parts as they both completed nearly 100 laps each over the test’s two days.
An early starter this morning after cold track temperature caused a delayed pit exit yesterday, conditions soon put paid to Quartararo being able to improve on his lap time. Completing only 26 laps compared to yesterday’s 68, his fastest time of 1min 37.964secs left him 0.153secs off P1 and fourth in the overall standings. Both Fabio and Franco were also able to return to the track in the afternoon to collect information on how their prototype Yamaha YZR-M1 engine reacted to wet track conditions.
Morbidelli’s day was equally disrupted by the rain, completing only 19 laps before calling it a day at Jerez. His best time of 1min 38.100secs left him 0.280secs from the top spot and seventh on overall times. Completing 75 laps yesterday as he tested a host of parts for next season, Franco and his team were able to gather plenty of data to be as best-prepared as possible when testing resumes in 2020.
Quartararo and Morbidelli will next return to track after the winter break at their home circuit, with the first pre-season test of 2020 set to get underway on 7th February at the Sepang International Circuit.
Wilco Zeelenberg, Team Manager:
“The first day of the test was quite positive for us, with nice weather allowing us to get a good idea of what the new components from Yamaha were doing. With the second day’s conditions being a little difficult we still need to work on the complete package to be ready for 2020, but we’ll have enough time to do that before the season starts in March.”
Franco Morbidelli:
“Unfortunately we didn’t learn much today, because as soon as we had completed a shake-down in the morning it started to rain and we had to stop. We managed to complete some laps in the afternoon to check out how the engine was behaving in wet conditions, but that was the end of the day for us. I feel good with the prototype engine, which is a great start. Of course, there is still plenty of work to do because there are areas where we can be better, but the direction that Yamaha has taken has been the right one. We need to improve in the braking areas, but that’s something we can concentrate on at the next test in Sepang.”
Fabio Quartararo:
“We weren’t able to gain much from today, because just as I was getting ready to really start working on the bike it began to rain. I did my best lap time of the day but it was already starting to rain, and it turned out to be the only chance that I got. It’s disappointing that we couldn’t test as much as we wanted to, although I was also able to complete five laps in the wet to check how the engine worked in those conditions and it was positive. The track wasn’t wet all the way around for long so it wasn’t too helpful to keep riding and risk injury. We still need to work on the power delivery of the bike because it’s different from the current bike’s, but the pace I was setting yesterday was promising. We need to complete more laps, but overall it’s been a successful test for us. Now I’ll enjoy the time off and come back fresh to try everything again in Malaysia.”
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA CONCLUDE 2019 TESTING WITH BRIGHT PROSPECTS DESPITE RAIN
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 26th November 2019
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi didn‘t have a lot of opportunity in the dry today at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto track to complete their Jerez Test programme. But although the available track time was cut short due to the rainy weather, they made it count. The team-mates both noticed positive changes and wrapped up the last 2019 IRTA test in 1st and 11th place respectively in the combined results.
1st MAVERICK VIÑALES 1’37.131s / 68 + 15 LAPS
11th VALENTINO ROSSI 1’38.352s / 64 + 33 LAPS
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi had to deal with rain on the second day of 2020 pre-season testing at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, but they didn‘t let it dampen their spirits. The team-mates both beamed about the progress they made with the protype and new testing items and completed the Jerez Test in 1st and 11th place respectively in the combined Day 1-2 rankings.
Viñales had already adapted his testing style this year: riding less laps but going all out whilst focusing on tweaking specific areas rather than putting in as much laps as possible trying various changes at once. Unfortunately, due to today‘s rain, the test was wrapped up early. The conditions forced the Spaniard to be even more strict in choosing his priorities. He completed 15 laps and posted a best time of 1’37.964s on lap 9. This put him fourth in the Day-2 timesheets, 0.144s from first. His superb 1‘37.131s lap from yesterday kept him firmly in first place in the overall timesheets, with a 0.689s margin over second place.
Rossi set out in Jerez today to make a detailed comparison between the old and the new bike. He was quickly up to speed, but soon the rain spoiled his plans. The Doctor used the wet track conditions in the afternoon to his advantage to work with the new testing items in the cold and wet. He completed 33 laps in total. His best time was a 1’38.352s, 0.407s faster than his best from yesterday and set on only his tenth lap of the day. This put him in 10th place in today’s standings, 0.532s from first, and in 11th position in the combined results, 1.221s from the top.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI
TEAM DIRECTOR
“As said in Valencia last week, the target of this test was to evaluate the new bike and also to get the same confirmation we got there, and so far, apart from the rain, the information we got was basically more or less the same. Maverick has been quicker with the new bike, so for sure the starting point, the base of this new bike, is working. Saying that, we still have work to do for the first race, but for me, when I look back to when we tried new items in the last two years, we never reached this point. I can see that it‘s promising. The riders are always looking for more, but what we were looking for was increasing the smoothness and increasing the top speed gradually, and we did. The area where we should try to make another step is top speed, and I am confident that we will achieve this.”
MAVERICK VIÑALES
“Actually, I felt really good on the bike, riding in a really good way. Yesterday, I felt fantastic on all the laps and that is the most important. I end the 2019 season with a great feeling and a lot of motivation, and that keeps you going when preparing for the new season. Yamaha is working really hard, but we‘re still working on top speed. For sure in other areas we‘re quite strong, but we need to stay focused on improving our weaker areas for the next test in Sepang.”
VALENTINO ROSSI
“It‘s a shame about the weather today. It was an important day because we had to work on making a comparison between the new and the old bike, so we had a good program, but, unfortunately, we did only ten laps on the dry, and after that we did some laps on the wet. But the feeling is positive, a lot better than yesterday. On the dry I was a lot faster. I improved my best lap time from the day before already after three laps, and today I was more competitive. After the rain we did some work on the new bike on the wet, and it wasn‘t so bad, but it was only half a day.”
