Fresh from yesterday’s Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP riders were back on track today to complete the one-day Catalunya MotoGP Official Test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi took time to try some new Michelin tyres and there was also an opportunity for them to test a new chassis for the 2016 YZR-M1 and work on some small set up changes to further improve the balance of their bikes.
Movistar Yamaha MotoGP riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi returned to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya today to undertake a detailed testing programme. Whilst putting some new items to the test, Lorenzo completed 49 laps and finished the one-day Catalunya MotoGP Official Test in second place.
Rossi arrived a bit later to the scene where he secured a brilliant win a day earlier, and used the final three hours of the session to help develop some new Michelin tyres. He ended the day in eleventh place.
One hour into the eight-hour long test session, Lorenzo entered the track and started work on his YZR-M1. He spent most of the morning getting familiar with the new items before it was time to pick up the pace in the early afternoon. After already having completed yesterday’s full race distance, he clocked a 1’44.202s on his 26th lap, moving up to provisional first place. His time remained unchallenged until the very end of the session, when the Mallorcan rider had already finished his testing programme for the day. Lorenzo ended second in the final results, 0.239s from the front.
With three hours of the session remaining, teammate Valentino Rossi joined his rivals on the Catalan track. He steadily improved his best time over the first hour before entering the top nine when he set a 1’45.454s on lap 23. The Doctor then put his full attention towards developing his bike. Whilst thoroughly testing some new Michelin tyres and a new chassis for his YZR-M1, he got pushed back to eleventh place in the test results and finished 1.491s from first.
Tomorrow the team will be back on track for another private test in Catalunya.
Massimo Meregalli – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team Director
“After already three days of riding, Jorge, Vale and the team again put in a lot of effort and this made it a successful test so far. We stuck to our schedule and were able to test and compare the required materials for the day. The riders used this one day of official testing to try out a new frame, two rear-arm specifications and they also helped develop the front and rear tyres brought by Michelin. The initial feedback from the riders on the chassis and the tyres was positive. Tomorrow we will continue our test programme and the main task is to decide which chassis is better. If we conclude that the new frame is better, we might have it ready at the next round in Assen. So far we can be satisfied with today’s results because Jorge rode an impressive lap in the 1’44.202s on used tyres, which is almost as fast as his pole position lap and shows we are making good progress. Valentino mainly focused on testing the Michelin tyres. His feelings were positive, so we will continue to work on this concept when we are back on the track tomorrow for a private test, which we will use to make our final comparison between the options we tested today.”
Jorge Lorenzo
2nd / 1’44.202 / 49 laps
“It was a positive test. After my crash yesterday I felt quite some pain, especially in my leg, but some pills made me feel better, so I could get through the day quite well. I tried many things, especially some new tyres from Michelin on the rear, some of the them had quite a positive effect on acceleration, and a new chassis from the team, which also gave us some positive points that we will test further tomorrow.”
Valentino Rossi
11th / 1’45.454 / 42 laps
“It was a good test. We concentrated on the tyres and we found something good so the rear tyres are working better than yesterday, but now we have a bigger task because we have to try new things that Yamaha have brought here to test, which will be very interesting for the rest of the season. I tried the new chassis and the first impression was OK and tomorrow we will continue with the rest.”
Tech3 pair complete successful post Catalan GP test
Monster Yamaha Tech3 team rider Bradley Smith leaves Barcelona feeling optimistic for the future rounds after undertaking a thorough post-Catalan Grand Prix test today. The British rider concentrated mainly on the new Michelin tyres, as he evaluated all three of the new rear compounds available plus he tested different rear suspension options. He tirelessly lapped the circuit 83 times, which was more than any other MotoGP rider, but also crashed at turn five on his last lap. The 25-year-old set his best time mid way through the day and on his 44th lap, which left him less than a second from fifth. Having reached a positive conclusion, the 2015 fastest satellite rider now keenly awaits the forthcoming Motul Dutch Grand Prix where he intends to clinch the top independent honours.
On the other side of the pit box, Pol Espargaro rode relentlessly as he focused on the new tyres and additionally electronics and suspension settings with encouraging results being achieved. The young Spaniard got straight to work this morning in perfect conditions under the Catalan sun and eventually concluded the day by completing 48 laps, with his quickest time being set on just his third. The 24-year-old focused on setup solutions but a small crash, which he walked away from uninjured, did not slow his work rate. After a constructive day, the leading independent rider in the championship standings now confidently looks on to the next round at Assen in a fortnight’s time.
Bradley Smith
12th / 145.670 / 83 laps
“In general, today was positive and we can leave Barcelona feeling content with what we achieved at the test. After the technical issue in yesterday’s race, I am really pleased to complete 83 laps without any issues at all. I did a lot of tyre testing this morning for Michelin and they brought some interesting options so I’m excited to see how the tyres will evolve in the future. With regards to our setting, the main area of focus was the rear of the bike, which seems to be where I’m most sensitive at the moment. We had quite a few different rear shock solutions that we wanted to try and although the result won’t necessarily boost the performance, it will certainly make our weekend easier if I am struggling like I was here. Now, we have a good direction as well as more of an understanding about my YZR-M1. I’m always happy about these types of test because, like in Jerez, I can leave with more knowledge and added confidence for the package that I have. I will rest up now for two weeks and then get ready for Assen which I am looking forward to.”
Pol Espargaro
13th / 145.835 / 48 laps
“Overall, the test was successful and we can leave here feeling pleased with what we discovered. We worked on the tyres, the clutch and suspension settings, but the main area of focus was to try to improve the rear grip which was our weakness this weekend and we have made good progress even if I didn’t really go for a fast single lap time. With regards to the tyres, I sampled one new option and I ran ten consistent laps on it. It felt really good because there was stability at the beginning of a run and the drop off was not big, similarly to the medium option. We collected some good information and the best improvements are the traction and the increased stability, which is key. I don’t know exactly when this tyre will be introduced, but my feedback is positive. For the suspension, we adjusted the rear shock as we had a lack of grip on the rear, so I tried three settings and found some encouraging results. Considering that we were already competitive yesterday, I am now confident that I can be even stronger because of today’s outcome. I am pleased with the race performance because it was the first time that we were competing with the front guys so we deserved our result here and with the knowledge that we have gained, the team and I are optimistic for Assen.”
Catalunya MotoGP Official Test Results
1. C. Crutchlow, LCR Honda, 1’43.963 [72/73]
2. J. Lorenzo, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1’44.202 [26/49]
3. M. Viñales, Team Suzuki Ecstar, 1’44.310 [9/65]
4. A. Iannone, Ducati Team, 1’44.390 [26/36]
5. A. Espargaró, Team Suzuki Ecstar, 1’44.717 [31/64]
6. H. Barbera, Avintia Racing, 1’44.889 [33/75]
7. A. Dovizioso, Ducati Team, 1’44.968 [54/55]
8. M. Marquez, Repsol Honda Team, 1’45.029 [42/77]
9. S. Redding, Octo Pramac Yakhnich, 1’45.328 [58/60]
10. D. Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team, 1’45.379 [21/39]
11. V. Rossi, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1’45.454 [23/42]
12. B. Smith, Monster Yamaha Tech3, 1’45.670 [44/83]
13. P. Espargaró, Monster Yamaha Tech3, 1’45.835 [3/48]
14. A. Bautista, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, 1’46.338 [28/72]
15. D. Petrucci, Octo Pramac Yakhnich, 1’46.515 [26/67]
16. S. Bradl, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, 1’46.524 [44/82]
17. J. Miller, Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS, 1’47.005 [14/48]
18. T. Rabat, Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS, 1’47.481 [3/16]
