Baz and Barbera conclude Jerez test ahead of schedule

Avintia Racing riders Hector Barbera and Loris Baz concluded Jerez test ahead of schedule. Despite rain forecasts, the sun has shone on the Andalusian track in the first two days of testing, where several Ducati teams, plus Aprilia, Suzuki, KTM and Honda have come to Jerez to complete a three-day test, the last of 2016 season.

Héctor Barberá was the fastest yesterday on his Ducati Desmosedici GP 2016, but today he finished earlier than expected due to a mechanical problem. The Valencian has been left with the desire to improve his times with new tires, but overall, his feeling have been very good, and when he returns to action at the end of January in Malaysia, he hopes to have more support from Ducati keep going forward with his adaptation process to his new bike.

Loris Baz did a really fast lap today and he finished this test very happy, both with his bike and his new crew chief. The Frenchman got grips really well with the Desmosedici GP15, and following a difficult season aheads the winter break with a smile on his face.

Loris Baz | 1’39.184 | P2

“I am very happy because I have not had such good feelings with the bike for a long time. I think we have done two very good days of work, little by little I am getting confidence with the bike and this test has been very positive. We have tried a lot of things and we have a really fast pace, and today I did a very fast lap, although it could be better. But I’m happy because enjoyed riding my bike, now I can push hard with confidence and I understand what the bike and the tyres do. It has been a very positive test and I go with a relaxed brain to the winter break, because it has been a very difficult year, with a lot of doubts, so ending like this is fantastic.”

Hector Barbera | 1’39.542 | P3

“I finished the last test of the year with a bittersweet taste. On the one hand, we could confirm the great potential of this bike and we have also tried several new Michelin front tyres that I really liked. But I am not happy enough, because in Valencia we had an issue with the gear box, and here happened again. I was forced to stop at three and I have not been able to do many laps today; I’ve spent all morning testing tyres, and when it was time to put fresh rubber for the time attack we had this problem. I wont have the second bike until the first test next year, and therefore, we were forced to finish the test ahead of schedule. I hope that in Malaysia everything works properly, because in the two races I did with the Ducati Team we did not have any issues, but we have had them in the last two test. I trust Ducati and I’m sure they will help us to get the full potential of my GP16”.

More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:

FINAL TESTS BEFORE THE WINTER BREAK FOR APRILIA

THREE DAYS AT JEREZ FOR ALEIX ESPARGARÒ AND SAM LOWES

Final efforts for Aprilia before the winter break, three days of testing on the Spanish Jerez de la Frontera track. Aleix Espargarò and Sam Lowes were back in the saddle of their RS-GP machines, just a few days after their first contact in Valencia, for a final series of preliminary tests for the development of the bike from Veneto in view of 2017. The less than ideal weather partially complicated the job for the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, enough to force the team and riders to stop early because of the rain.

The two sides of the garage had different goals. Aleix Espargarò continued gathering data and information that will be used by the Noale Racing Department in defining the RS-GP in its 2017 configuration. The Spanish rider identified a good base on which to build from now until the next tests in Malaysia. Sam Lowes, visibly suffering after his crash in Valencia, was unable to push too hard astride his RS-GP, so he took advantage of the three days to get to know the team better, also benefiting from the comments made by his more expert garage mate.

Even with the early stop, Aleix did 80 laps with his best stopping the clock at 1’39.675, whereas Sam’s best time was 1’42.312 of his 50-lap total.

MARCUS ESCHENBACHER – ALEIX ESPARGARO’ CREW CHIEF

“We are heading into the winter break with good sensations. Aleix confirmed what he demonstrated in Valencia, both in terms of performance and harmony with the RS-GP. We have identified a rather precise technical direction to accommodate his riding style and during the winter we will work on bringing a further advanced bike to the first tests at Sepang. The weather did not help us and we also had a crash, but we can look forward to the 2017 season optimistically”.

GIULIO NAVA – SAM LOWES CREW CHIEF

“Sam is suffering from the after-effects of his crash in Valencia, but he put himself to the test anyway at Jerez to continue growing. We have a long season ahead of us, so for the moment it is important to rack up the miles in the saddle and get to know the mechanisms of the team. Despite his physical difficulties, I think these tests added another notch in the belt for Sam’s apprenticeship. I’m sure that in Malaysia his potential will begin to show. We can’t consider the times from these tests as any real indication”.