Yamaha Factory Racing has now completed the second of the two days of the official Valencia MotoGP test. Rider Ben Spies spent the sessions working through two differing engine specifications and a number of frame and geometry settings on the 2012 1000cc YZR-M1. The data will now go back to Japan with the Yamaha engineers who will work on the next stage of development ahead of the first 2012 test in Malaysia at the end of January. Despite missing the valuable input of team mate Jorge Lorenzo, all the required testing was completed within the two days.
At the conclusion of the test Spies was third in the timesheets with a best lap time of 1’32.338 after completing 57 laps.
Ben Spies
1.32.338 – 57 laps
“It’s been a long two days. We had a lot of work to do with Jorge not being here but we’ve got through everything. I think we got the guys working in the right direction, we’re still quite a way from Qatar and what we’ll be racing with but we’ve got a good idea of what we need to work on. There’s a lot of potential in what we have so they’ll go back to Japan now to work on it for a couple of months and we’ll see what we have as a package next year. The team and engineers have worked really hard for the last couple of days so a big thank you to them.”
Massimo Meregalli – Yamaha Factory Racing Team Director
“It’s been a really good test. We got a lot of data, everything we were missing in the previous tests from cancellations and injuries etc. The work that we’ve done is good, the schedule is completed and we are quite satisfied. There is of course still some work to do but I think it’s been positive. Now they’ll check the data in Japan and we’ll see the next step in January. Ben did a really good job; I’ve never seen him so focused in a test. It’s the best way to start the new season.”
Crutchlow and Dovizioso complete positive 1000cc debut in Valencia test
Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider Cal Crutchlow concluded a successful first test on board Yamaha’s new YZR-M1 1000cc MotoGP machine at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia today.
Taking advantage of gloriously sunny conditions during the two-day test, the 26-year-old completed 142 laps and was able to give Yamaha engineering staff a wealth of information and data.
The British rider set a best lap time of 1.33.652 on the opening day as he quickly got to grips with the new bike and the 2012 spec Bridgestone tyres. Crutchlow made a significant step today and as he got more comfortable with the new generation YZR-M1, he was able to lap 1.1s faster to finish fourth on the final timesheets with a best lap of 1.32.550.
This week’s test also gave Andrea Dovizioso his first opportunity to acquaint himself with the Tech 3 Team and the YZR-M1 1000cc machine. Dovizioso’s vast experience was a huge benefit to Yamaha technicians who were able to obtain valuable feedback from the Italian. Dovizioso completed 118 laps and set a best time of 1.33.256 to shave 0.6s off his best pace set on the opening day.
Crutchlow and Dovizioso will continue their preparations for the 2012 World Championship campaign at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on January 31.
Cal Crutchlow
1.32.550 – 142 laps
“This was a very important test to get used to the new 1000cc YZR-M1 and thankfully the weather was in our favour and we could get in a lot of laps to understand the ea rly potential of the bike. The 1000 seems to suit my style a little better and I have to say that Yamaha has done a very good job and we are already working from a strong base. The bike feels quite similar to the 800 YZR-M1 but Yamaha has managed to keep the strong points of this year’s bike. You can immediately feel the extra horsepower, which is impressive, but I’m happy because I could keep a very consistent pace. I’m looking forward to the winter break now. I learned a lot in my first season in MotoGP that will help me be much stronger in 2012. I’d like to thank all my Monster Yamaha Tech 3 crew for their efforts this year. They’ve given me their maximum support and I am grateful for that.”
Andrea Dovizioso
1.33.256 – 118 laps
“Firstly I want to thank the Tech 3 staff for making me feeling immediately welcome and at home this week. I’ve been really excited to start this new adventure together and it was a positive and productive test. This test was my first chance to ride the 1000cc bike and the power of the engine is very impressive. The riding style is very close to 800cc and the bike has a lot of good points for my style. There are some areas I have identified we can improve for the next test in Sepang and I gave a lot of important feedback that should help Yamaha improve the bi ke during the winter break. Now I will take a break to recharge the batteries and return in Sepang looking forward to getting back on the bike and carrying on the positive work we did here in Valencia.”
Test Times
1. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda 1m 31.807s
2. Casey Stoner AUS Repsol Honda 1m 31.968s
3. Ben Spies USA Yamaha Factory Racing 1m 32.338s
4. Cal Crutchlow GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 32.550s
5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 33.256s
6. Valentino Rossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1m 33.332s
7. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing 1m 33.433s
8. Hector Barbera ESP Pramac Racing 1m 33.648s
9. Alvaro Bautista ESP San Carlo Honda Gresini (800cc) 1m 33.814s
10. Stefan Bradl GER LCR Honda (800cc) 1m 34.142s
11. Kousuke Akiyoshi JPN Repsol Honda 1m 34.546s
12. Franco Battaini ITA Ducati Marlboro 1m 34.840s
13. Carmelo Morales ESP Team Laglisse Suter-BMW (CRT) 1m 35.911s
14. Ivan Silva ESP BQR Inmotec (CRT) 1m 36.695s
15. Yonny Hernandez COL BQR FTR Kawasaki (CRT) 1m 37.279s
16. Federico Sandi ITA Grillini Team Gapam (CRT) 1m 38.680s
