Team Suzuki Press Office – November 15. After overcoming yesterday´s illness, finally today Andrea Iannone and Alex Rins were feeling better and were able to kick off the 2018 season with the first laps of testing.
Because many of the improvements developed by Suzuki are important steps forward which need to be tested as soon as possible to determine the development path, both riders were eager to get back on the GSX-RRs.
They both had an evolution chassis and an evolution engine, plus some other minor items. As is customary for Suzuki, the 2018 GSX-RR will not be a groundbreaking new machine, but rather the result of many small improvements applied to the current base.
The work undertaken today is just a small part of the scheduled program. The team and riders will be called to more intense work next week in the three-day test session planned for Jerez (from Wednesday to Friday).
Davide Brivio – Team Manager
“To be honest, this test was completely different from what we expected, since we completely missed yesterday due to the riders’ illness. Even today we worked less than what was possible because both Andrea and Alex were still not at 100% and also felt weak. We only tried some of the main items, making choices by priority. We have a new chassis that is supposed to help the riders with the grip, and a new engine that is supposed to improve corner entry. For the amount they were able to test today, the feedback is positive. Although, we have to thoroughly double check and we still need to be prudent. Luckily we have already scheduled a three-day test for next week in Jerez, so we will be able to make up for some of this week´s missed program. The engine is the most urgent thing to analyse because its development and production requires time, but we are taking things step by step, trying different modifications, and then we will put everything together for the test in Sepang at the end of January.”
Andrea Iannone
“Yesterday I was not in any condition to lap as I felt very sick, which prevented us from working. Today I felt better and we could do some runs. Despite not doing many laps, we have already figured out some things and this is a good starting point for the next test in Jerez. Suzuki has worked hard to deliver the new engine specs and new chassis. We are working step by step with the introduction of one thing after another, and for Sepang we will have a more complete package. In the last month of the Championship we took many steps forward. I’m happy about how the team works and also Suzuki. In the garage we have a good environment and this helps me a lot with the work on the GSX-RR.”
Alex Rins
“Today I felt a little better than yesterday and wanted to take to the track for at least some part of the scheduled work. I still don’t feel 100%, so we only did the most important things. We had a new spec for the engine and a new chassis, and we tested them both, trying to get a feel for them. The objective is to evaluate the single improvements and then put them all together for Sepang. Since the feeling about the new item was positive today, I´m really looking forward to going to Jerez, feeling better, and start working at 100%.”
2018 OFF SEASON TEST VALENCIA – COMBINED CLASSIFICATION:
1. Marc MARQUEZ, Repsol Honda Team – Day1: 1’30.501 – Day 2: 1’30.033
2. Maverick VIÑALES, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP – Day1: 1’30.189 – Day 2: 1’30.640 +0.156
3. Johann ZARCO, Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – DAY 1: 1’30.389 – Day 2: 1’30.439 +0.356
4. Dani PEDROSA, Repsol Honda Team – DAY 1: 1’31.328 – Day 2: 1’30.436 +0.403
5. Valentino ROSSI, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP – DAY 1: 1’30.519 – Day 2: 1’30.724 +0.486
6. Jorge LORENZO, Ducati Team – DAY 1: 1’31.059 – Day 2: 1’30.534 +0.501
7. Jack MILLER, OCTO Pramac Racing – DAY 1: 1’30.635 – Day 2: 1’30.860 +0.602
8. Cal CRUTCHLOW, LCR Honda CASTROL – DAY 1: 1’31.259 – Day 2: 1’30.654 +0.621
9. Aleix ESPARGARO, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – DAY 1: 1’30.756 – Day 2: 1’30.889 +0.723
10. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Ducati Team – DAY 1: 1’30.850 – Day 2: 1’31.758 +0.817
11. Andrea IANNONE, Team SUZUKI ECSTAR – DAY 1: NC – Day 2: 1’30.877 +0.844
12. Pol ESPARGARO, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – DAY 1: 1’31.166 – Day 2: 1’31.100 +1.067
13. Bradley SMITH, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – DAY 1: 1’31.415 – Day 2: 1’31.202 +1.169
14. Tito RABAT, Reale Avintia Racing – DAY 1: 1’31.673 – Day 2: 1’31.386 +1.353
15. Alex RINS, Team SUZUKI ECSTAR – Day 1: NC – Day 2: 1’31.516 +1.483
16. Danilo PETRUCCI, OCTO Pramac Racing – DAY 1: 1’31.721 – Day 2: 1’31.874 +1.688
17. Franco MORBIDELLI, EG 0,0 Marc VDS – DAY 1: 1’32.762 – Day 2: 1’31.786 +1.753
18. Takaaki NAKAGAMI, LCR Honda IDEMITSU – DAY 1: 1’32.723 – Day 2: 1’31.867 +1.834
19. Scott REDDING, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – DAY 1: 1’32.075 – Day 2: 1’32.358 +2.042
20. Karel ABRAHAM, Pull&Bear Aspar Team – DAY 1: 1’32.445 – Day 2: NC – +2.412
21. Xavier SIMEON, Reale Avintia Racing – DAY 1: 1’34.242 – Day 2: 1’32.698 +2.665
22. Takumi TAKAHASHI, EG 0,0 Marc VDS – DAY 1: 1’33.569 – Day 2: 1’33.870 +3.536
