A total of 13 MotoGP riders have just completed testing at the revised Catalunya circuit, which now includes a new, tight chicane to lower speeds in a dangerous part of the track.
Lap time reports indicate that Marc Marquez (Honda) was quickest, and that Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo posted the second quickest time. Interestingly, Lorenzo seems to be coming to grips with the switch to last year’s Michelin front tire compound, several versions of which were available at this test.
Here is a post-test press release from Ducati:
The Ducati Team, with riders Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso, has concluded a two-day test at the Circuit de Montmelò on the outskirts of Barcelona in preparation for the Catalunya GP, round 7 of the MotoGP World Championship, which will be held on this track in two weeks’ time.
Also on track since Monday was the Ducati Test Team with Casey Stoner and Michele Pirro. The Australian champion only tested on Monday and then handed over to Pirro who completed the rest of the 2017 Ducati Desmosedici GP’s development work in the other two days.
The Ducati riders concentrated mainly on the search for an optimal set-up for the Catalan race.
The Montmelò track that will be used in June has been slightly modified at Turns 14 and 15 since last year and is now similar to the one used for the Formula 1 race.
Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team #99) – best lap in 1’43.998 (146 laps)
“It was a very interesting test. In two days I did about 150 laps, notching up a lot of kilometres and we found some positive solutions. I was also the fastest Ducati rider on both days. Overall we are competitive in every sector, but we are still losing a few tenths in the final part and so we will have to improve here in view of the race. As for the front tyre, Michelin have done a good job, bringing a couple of tyres that resolve the problem of graining on the right side, but we still have to find a solution for the rear.”
Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – best lap in 1’45.067 (123 laps)
“We did a lot of laps in these two days of testing, with temperatures that should be similar to what we will find in the race in a couple of weeks, and it was important because in the last few years we’ve always struggled at this track. My fastest lap was not so fast but we are not too bad with our race pace. It was also important to come and get an idea of the front tyre wear; Michelin brought several tyres to try and we found some good solutions. The track, after the modification to the chicane, is not as nice as before but it is safer now.”
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I was trying to find out who else was riding besides Ducati. 13 riders there, how many were aliens? Obviously Marquez and Lorenzo and Dovi were there. Are Stoner and Pirro 2 of the 13?
Found it on crash.net, it appears neither Rossi or Vinales was there (given Rossi’s recent motocross injury I figured he wasn’t). Marquez was a half second ahead of Lorenzo and 2-6 were within a half second of each other. Alvaro Bautista was 3rd, a bit surprising.
2 nd fastest for Lorenzo huh? Is he coming to terms with the Ducati? Certainly his confidense is growing. Don’t see him challenging for the Championship this year, but it would be good to see him challenging for podiums. This could change up the game a lot.
Michelin brought a number of different front tires. It would be interesting to know who set what times on which tire.