Picture From MotoGP.com
Well, the first official on track action has been and gone and we will have to see how the teams will work on any issues that they have come upon this week at Sepang. They will return to the Sepang circuit at the end of the month for the second of the winter testing sessions. When they return I expect that many more of the riders will be posting times under 2:00.00.
HRC Tests Complete
Casey Stoner threw down the gauntlet as he posted the 1:59.607 which was over half a second quicker than anyone out there. This was posted on just his second lap of 21. Lorenzo who amassed 35 laps today took nearly one and a half seconds off of his time from day one.
Pedrosa was busy testing the new Bridgestone tyres that are being used this season as well as testing different chassis’ on his Honda. Spies, like Lorenzo, found the base set up of the Yamaha YZR-M1 and they focused on the electronics and chassis balance to manage the increase in horsepower that the 1000cc engine produces.
Ducati Testing Parts
The Ducati team finished the test session on a positive note as Rossi moved up into fifth, but still over a second behind Stoner’s time. Hayden managed a few laps before retiring due to pain in his shoulder hindering his progress. He has stated that he will be attending the Jerez Test along with the CRT bikes before the second official test at Sepang later this month.
The Pramac Ducati Team have reason to be hopefully as Barbera got his time under 2:01.00 which put him within 0.105 seconds of the top Ducati of Rossi.
Tech 3 Yamaha
The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team have reason to be positive as Crutchlow was near the sharp end of the time sheet for most of the three testing days, his best time being a 2:01.108. His team mate, Andrea Dovizioso, who is getting used to the Yamaha after his move from Honda, was 1.6 seconds slower than his former team mate.
Bautista and Bradl both put in good testing sessions as they adapt to the new bikes and class in Bradl’s case. Abraham was the last of the Prototype bikes after testing the Bridgestone tyres on his Ducati.
CRT More Testing Needed
The CRT progress is slow but it will come I think. Edwards’ best time of 2:04.722 was over five seconds behind the leader while the Avintia Racing Team riders were nearer ten seconds behind.
