Following Michelin’s 2016 re-introduction into MotoGP™ after a seven-year absence, the Clermont Ferrand based tyre specialists gathered important data from its first-year back and this has led to a new profile of front MICHELIN Power Slick being developed for the forthcoming season. This tyre was first used as a prototype at the final race of 2016 at Valencia with impressive results, and the information collected from that event enabled the Michelin technicians to work on the tyre through the winter, and at the pre-season tests, to create a version that the riders have been very impressed with. This, allied to a rear tyre that gives more traction and allows the riders to get better drive, demonstrates that Michelin is pushing
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Folger and Zarco impress in #QatarTest
Johann Zarco, P9: "The final day of the test went really well for me and I am excited about returning to the track soon for the start of my rookie season in the premier class. Today I completed a race simulation, which was important because it allowed me to gain valuable knowledge about how the bike’s behaviour changes over 22 laps. Even though I may not have been super fast, the experience was the most significant thing and I was consistent with my times also. My confidence improved throughout the three days, which I am really happy about, and today I made the most of the soft tyre by setting a solid lap time and ending up in a good
Shark attack: ‘DesmoDovi’ positive about radical new fairing
Andrea Dovizioso, P13: “Today was an unusual day because we encountered conditions that were very different from yesterday, both with the humidity and the track grip, but in my opinion it was in any case very important to also lap in this situation. For sure today was more difficult than yesterday, and we used all the session to do a lot of tests and even though the times were not so good in the final classification, it was a very productive day. In the evening I also did a couple of exits with the new fairing: in my opinion, our engineers have done a great job because it wasn’t easy to create a certain aerodynamic downforce without using the winglets.
McPhee in the mix on Day 2
After a solid opening day that saw John McPhee take ninth on the overall timesheets, Day 2 was another good day at work for the British Talent Team rider as 57 laps throughout the three available sessions saw the Scot secure twelfth overall with a best of 1:47.025, set during the morning.Jeremy McWilliams was again present at the track in his role as British Talent Scout for the British Talent Team and the British Talent Cup, positive about the progress and direction taken so far. Conditions were sunny and warm once again in Andalucia, with good conditions for the lightweight class to continue their push towards the start of the season. As on Day 1, the British Talent Team focus was
Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup testing concludes in Buriram
The first day was punctuated by some crashes for many of the grid, with the first session seeing four fallers and a total of 13 on Day 1 as a lot of the riders got their first taste of the circuit, the bike and their competition ahead of the first race weekend of the year. With a host of new recruits and some eager veterans ready for their next campaign, Japan and Indonesia lead the way on representation this season with eight and seven riders respectively – joined by competitors from the Philippines, Australia, Turkey, Malaysia and the host nation for the first action of the year, Thailand. Source link
Engines fire up for Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup testing
This year there are participants from eight different countries across Asia and Oceania, and Japan is the most prolific country on the entry list with eight representatives. Malaysia, Turkey, the Philippines, Australia and the host nation for the test and first race weekend, Thailand, are the other countries lining up in 2017 – another incredible cross section of talent as the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup continues its mission to find the best young riders from this part of the world. Source link
Engines ready to fire up for first Moto3™ Official Test
Nicolo Bulega went fastest at a recent private test in Jerez, and the Sky Racing VR46 sophomore is gearing up for an assault at the front in 2017. Romano Fenati (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers) is another Italian to watch, as the veteran Moto3™ rider returns to the class looking to take the title. Yet another member of the jam-packed grid flying the tricolore is Enea Bastianini, but with the armada of Estrella Galicia 0,0 as he changes teams to the Spanish-run outfit. Runner up in 2016 and looking to go one better, the “Beast” is another who has experience at the front.. Source link