Behind the top three, the gaps didn’t get any bigger. Day 2 crasher Aron Canet (EG 0,0) was fourth overall and only 0.017 off Bezzecchi, with exactly the same gap back to Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in fifth as the Italian gets up to speed quickly in his new team, much like compatriot Bastianini. Philipp Oettl (Südmetall Schedl GP Racing) broke the Spanish and Italian dominion at the top in six, with the German on the Austrian bike a tenth and a half further back. Source link
Tag: testing
Iannone, Crutchlow, Dovi, Lorenzo: tight at the top in Jerez
Ducati, meanwhile, were continuing with their evaluations in order to pass on maximum information to engineers for during the break – with the GP18 due to appear first at the official Sepang Test in January. Dovizioso did 47 laps, Lorenzo 55. Crutchlow, on his part, has the new 2018 prototype Honda as he does some testing for HRC, and had two variations of the machine as well as his 2017 bike in the garage. He did 73 laps. The Repsol Honda Team are not present, instead choosing to use the test days next season. Movistar Yamaha MotoGP and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 also sit out Jerez, instead heading for a private test in Malaysia soon. Source link
Can and Deniz Öncü debut with Moto3™ project at Jerez
The last two days have been very special for the Öncü twins, Can and Deniz. The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders, who will represent the team in the FIM CEV Junior World Championship next year, debuted this week with their team and in the class. Can and Deniz completed two days of testing on Thursday and Friday at the Jerez circuit, alongside Moto3 and Moto2 World Championship riders, to kick off the 2018 preseason. Source link
Smith "should be ready to race at Assen"
Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) suffered a crash in FP4 that saw the MotoGP™ podium finisher forced to sit out the rest of the weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as well as missing the subsequent three days of testing for the Austrian factory from Monday to Wednesday. With infection a key risk but everything progressing well, Smith is hopeful he'll be back up to "90%" for the next race at the TT Circuit Assen. Source link
Consistency the key for McPhee
The first Grand Prix of the year has now truly begun in Qatar, with the floodlights of Losail International Circuit first greeting the Moto3™ grid as the lightweight class got the season in gear. The British Talent Team got off to a tougher start than form shown by rider John McPhee throughout preseason testing, with the Brit ending the first day in P20 overall - but concentrating on consistency on the harder tyre. Source link
Marquez briefly dislocates shoulder in Jerez
After rain stopped play on the first day of a planned two day private test at the Circuito de Jerez for Repsol Honda Team's Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa, action got underway on Day 2 with an unwelcome outcome for the reigning Champion. Marquez, who has been in the top echelons of the timesheets throughout pre-season, crashed at Turn 7 and briefly dislocated his right shoulder. Medical checks show neither further damage nor any other injuries, and the rider from Cervera should be fit to finish preseason testing ahead of the first race of the season. Source link
Pedrosa: “You learn from every situation”
DP26: “It’s still early to say; it’s an important change but it’s not defined 100%. We’re still waiting to know which tyre will be confirmed, because Michelin are still testing. It’s how you grip the ground – you can invent anything on the bike but if you have a tyre made of wood, it’s not going to grip. Then if they give you a good tyre, 90% is in place. That’s why it’s so important – it’s what gives confidence, and takes it away.” Source link