By Soup StaffThese just in:
Ducati
The Mission Winnow Ducati team concludes a one-day official test at Montmeló, next stop Assen
On the eve of the Grand Prix of Catalunya, the Mission Winnow Ducati team resumed action at Montmeló for a one-day, collective test. In hot weather conditions, with 30 degrees in the atmosphere and 55 on the tarmac, Danilo Petrucci and Andrea Dovizioso clocked 57 and 63 laps respectively to try several chassis, electronics and aerodynamics upgrades on the factory Desmosedici GP 19. Petrucci finished with a personal best of 1:39.917 in eleventh position overall, with Dovizioso (12th) just eight tenths of a second behind him in 1:39.925.
Danilo Petrucci (#9 Mission Winnow Ducati) – 1:39.917 (11th)
“I’m satisfied with how this test went. We tried several upgrades in terms of chassis, electronics and aerodynamics, finding some solutions that gave me better sensations on the bike. In particular, we improved the feeling with the front and mid-corner turning. The track may have been a bit quicker compared to yesterday, but we were fast with used tyres, which is never something to take for granted. We’ll utilize some of these upgrades starting from next round at Assen, where we’ll resume from this base to keep the positive momentum.”
Andrea Dovizioso (#04 Mission Winnow Ducati) – 1:39.925 (12th)
“It’s been a positive test, in which we focused on several areas. We tried some new tyres brought by Michelin ahead of the next races, and a chassis upgrade that gave us a good feeling especially in corner entry, even though we’ll be able to gauge its true advantages only during a race. Yesterday didn’t go as planned, but it’s important to keep working hard to understand where we have more room for improvement and to further increase our competitiveness. Starting from Assen, we’ll try to use these upgrades to our advantage.”
The Mission Winnow Ducati team will resume action at Assen (Netherlands) for the eighth round of the 2019 MotoGP World Championship, scheduled for June 28-30.
Yamaha
MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP CLOSE CATALUNYA VISIT WITH SUCCESSFUL TEST
Barcelona (Spain), 17th June 2019
BARCELONA IRTA TEST
TEST
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi got back into action at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya today, completing the IRTA test in 1st and 14th place respectively.
1st
MAVERICK VIÑALES
1’38.967 / 98 LAPS
14th
VALENTINO ROSSI
1’39.968 / 71 LAPS
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi were back at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya today to try new items for their YZR-M1s. The team-mates finished in 1st and 14th place respectively in the timesheets.
For the test, the Yamaha Factory riders were each able to evaluate new electronics and a new exhaust, both aimed at making the acceleration smoother, as well as some new prototype Michelin tyres.
After an abrupt end to his Catalunya challenge yesterday, Viñales was keen to get back on his bike. His goal for today was to find an improvement in acceleration. He focused on this task for most of the session but couldn‘t help but put in a time attack at the very end. The Spaniard rode a total of 98 laps and set a best time of the day, a 1‘38.967s, on his final try. He was the only rider to get under the 1‘39-mark and finished 0.047s ahead of his closest rival.
Rossi also made strides during the test. He started the day a little after eleven and got straight down to business. He focused on fine-tuning his bike and comparing the testing options, and rode most of his stints on hard tyre specs to work on race pace. His efforts resulted in positive findings and after completing 71 laps, he ended the day in 14th place with a fastest lap of 1‘39.968s, 1.001s from the top.
Following today’s progress, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team will evaluate the gained data in preparation for the Motul TT Assen held in two weeks‘ time.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI
TEAM DIRECTOR
“After the unlucky end to the Catalan Grand Prix weekend, it‘s important to get straight back into the saddle again, with the same motivation we always have. Today‘s weather and track conditions were similar to those of the previous days, so this gave us the opportunity to compare our testing items with the data we collected over the weekend. Our main goal was to evaluate the new electronics, try the exhaust again, and improve the smoothness of the acceleration. Both riders mainly focused only on this objective. Some parts they liked more than others, but they gave positive feedback overall. They are especially enthusiastic about the new prototype Michelin rear tyres. Maverick had time to put in a time attack at the end and topped the timesheets, but the feeling on the bike in general is the most important today. Since both riders feel good on the bike, we feel confident as we prepare for the next race in two weeks‘ time.”
MAVERICK VIÑALES
“I’m quite satisfied about the test, not because of the lap time, but because of the way we handled this test, because it was important to try many things. The whole team put in hard work and we changed many parts of the bike. To end at the top is important for us, also for the mechanics, who worked very hard today. But the most important thing is that my feeling on the bike was really good and let’s see if we can keep this momentum, which we had here in Barcelona, going at the next race in Assen. We changed the settings on the bike quite a lot because we think we found one area here that helped us for the race, and it seemed to work, so we will continue to work in that direction and get more confidence on the bike. The feedback on the new Michelin tyres is good. The grip from the tyres is good, so I was able to do really good laps, and I hope they will bring these tyres in the future, because for our bike that will help a lot. But for now we are in 2019 and we keep improving race by race.”
VALENTINO ROSSI
“We tried some different things, especially with the electronics, traction control, and engine brake, to make some improvements. We also tried some mechanical things, some parts on the bike. Some things were good, others normal, but overall, we found something positive. We worked a bit with an eye on the future, also for next year and also for the next race, so we noticed a small difference already and I hope we can be faster. The Michelin tyres are fantastic! They did a good job, because they improved the grip in acceleration. You can open the throttle earlier and go faster, so the new tyres are better.”
Repsol Honda
Barcelona Post-Race Test
MotoGP 2019
Busy Catalunya Test for Repsol Honda Team duo
Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo completed 145 laps between them at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, gathering valuable information on the Honda RC213V.
Fresh from his fourth win of the 2019 MotoGP season, Marc Marquez was straight back to work with the Repsol Honda Team on Monday. A multitude of components to compare had the seven-time world champion completing an extensive testing program across his 80 laps at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. A crash late in the session saw Marquez avoid injury. His fastest time of 1’39.257 placed him third overall.
Jorge Lorenzo’s test was interrupted by a fall a Turn 9 several hours into the day. The five-time world champion visited the medical centre for precautionary checks but was able to return to the circuit soon after. Despite some pain from the crash, Lorenzo completed 65 laps with a best time of 1’40.357 before the fall.
The team now enjoy a brief pause before action resumes with the double-header of the Assen TT, June 30 and the German GP, July 07.
Marc Marquez
3rd 1’39.257
“It has been a very good test and we were able to get a lot of information after trying a few different things for the future. We were looking at not only this year but also the future and what direction we need to take. We looked at both 2020 and also the second half of the season. We tried a new chassis and some new aerodynamics looking to try something for the future. Like always, there were some positives and also some negatives with everything. In the afternoon we made another step and we’ll see how we can use it in Assen.”
Marc Marquez
Jorge Lorenzo
17th 1’40.357
“The crash affected my speed and my stamina a lot during the test, it was a very big crash at Turn 9 and I rolled a lot in the gravel. I was lucky not to break anything and I’ve had pain in my elbows, fingers and back all day but we needed to keep working. We worked more on the ergonomics and on some small chassis details, some things for the next races and some things for next year. I want to say thank you again to Honda for organising the trip to Japan we had and their rapid developments.”
KTM
Red Bull KTM continue work at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
MotoGP 2019 IRTA test Catalunya (ESP)
Today’s official IRTA test represented the first of two days of work for Red Bull KTM in the direct aftermath of the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya. Pol Espargaro and Johann Zarco were joined by test rider Dani Pedrosa for the first time as work on the KTM RC16 pressed forward.
High temperatures and windy conditions remained in place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as the MotoGP field formed again the day after the seventh Grand Prix of the season.
Pol Espargaro worked through chassis, electronic and aerodynamic updates and the Spaniard managed 57 laps with the 16th fastest time before a small tumble ended his day late in the afternoon. Johann Zarco was 15th quickest and posted 70 laps as he also assessed a list of ideas and solutions to improve his comfort and speed. The pair counted on the presence of Dani Pedrosa who was busy through the whole day building up his knowledge of KTM’s factory machinery and imparting his vast experience where necessary.
Red Bull KTM Tech3 duo Miguel Oliveira and Hafizh Syahrin were also diligent with the next phases of development and adaption to their RC16 race bikes.
KTM will continue with a private testing day in Barcelona on Wednesday before turning their attention to round eight of 2019 MotoGP at the TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands.
Pol Espargaro: “We tried a lot of chassis parts and also electronics because we had problems at the weekend through Turns 12 and 13. I had a small crash and could not make a faster time. We’ll have to see in the races to come if we have found some more improvements but we did some work on the aerodynamics and other aspects such as the change of direction with the bike. I’m happy. The bike we finished the race with here we will use in Holland because we have a good package and it will be interesting to see what we have now works in cooler conditions.”
Johann Zarco: “I got a new chassis and a different seat to try and improve. It is not an easy job because when I change things I feel better but it is not immediately visible so I need to push myself to get the faster lap-time and use the parts. I improved today compared to my qualifying time on Saturday so I am quite happy. Everyone was very fast today and it was pretty tough but we must keep working hard. I’m quite satisfied.”
Mike Leitner, Red Bull KTM Team Manager: “Another productive test day and we had five riders on the track and each of them had their special items to test. We have some positive and some negatives. In general we are happy. Pol had a small crash at the end of the day but it was not too dramatic. Johann focussed on certain things on his bike and re-checked some settings with suspension and chassis as well as aerodynamics. It was quite interesting, and now we plan for Wednesday. It’s good the riders will have one day off now because it can be tiring after a busy race weekend to test all day.”
Sebastian Risse, Technical Director MotoGP: “Conditions tend to be difficult here and we’re happy to take this chance to improve our bike. We tried a lot of hardware: frame, swingarm, suspension and I think we made some progress, especially with Johann; I think we found some items that can really help him. With Pol the day was cut short unfortunately but we also confirmed some useful items. Overall, I think there was bigger progress for Johann. We’ll do some more work on Wednesday.”
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya test times
1. Maverick Viñales (ESP), Yamaha 1:38.967
2. Franco Morbidelli (ITA), Yamaha +0.047
3. Marc Marquez (ESP), Honda +0.290
4. Alex Rins (ESP), Suzuki +0.367
5. Fabio Quartararo (FRA), Yamaha +0.461
15. Johann Zarco (FRA), Red Bull KTM +1.230
16. Pol Espargaro (ESP), Red Bull KTM +1.234
20. Miguel Oliveira (POR), Red Bull KTM Tech3 +1.895
22. Hafizh Syahrin (MYS), Red Bull KTM Tech3 +2.195
25. Dani Pedrosa (ESP), Red Bull KTM +2.857
Suzuki
PRODUCTIVE CATALAN TEST FOR TEAM SUZUKI ECSTAR
Team Suzuki Press Office – June 17.
Alex Rins: 4th – 1:39.334 (+0.367)
Joan Mir: 8th – 1:39.670 (+0.703)
Sylvain Guintoli: 23rd – 1:41.243 (+2.276)
• Alex Rins continues great pace around Montmelò as he tests chassis.
• Joan Mir working on fine-tuning settings and building confidence.
• Team end the test on a high following positive findings.
Following a successful race day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in which Team SUZUKI ECSTAR’s riders brought home 4th, 6th, and 13th places, it was time to get back on track on Monday morning for a one-day test.
The three riders present at the test had three slightly different agendas for the day.
Test Rider, Sylvain Guintoli, continued working with the chassis he used throughout the Catalan race weekend, and he also tried some different set-up configurations. The Frenchman felt much quicker than during yesterday’s race and he gave positive feedback about the modified chassis.
Alex Rins left the pit box feeling confident and comfortable with his GSX-RR, and he set some quick laps early in the session, topping the time sheets for much of the day. He then had the opportunity to try the chassis which Guintoli debuted, and he also found an improved feeling with the bike, especially under braking.
Rookie, Joan Mir, concentrated his time on fine-tuning his settings around the technical track, before turning his attention to electronics. Joan reported that his confidence is building lap-by-lap and he was happy to spend more time on his bike at a circuit he likes.
Ken Kawauchi – Technical Manager
“We gained a lot of information today with Sylvain and Alex both trying our newly modified chassis. During a race weekend it’s difficult to properly test new parts and settings, so test days like these are really important and useful for us. All three riders felt improvements today, and that means we’ve worked well.”
Davide Brivio – Team Manager
“It’s been a good test day, especially following a good race weekend. Alex and Sylvain tried a modified chassis and we found it quite helpful. We think it will improve braking stability; it could be useful in some circuits so Alex will probably try it again in Assen. We also tested electronics, ergonomics, and a tyre from Michelin. Overall a positive test with good pace from Alex. Joan tried some different settings, including suspension, but also he was just working on his riding style and some basic things.”
Alex Rins
“Today I found that the modified chassis had a lot of positive points, but also there are some things about it that I would like to improve. There’s not a lot to change with it, but we will evaluate it further to try and get the best from it. I’ve done quite a lot of laps today and in general I think we can feel very positive about the way things are going.”
Joan Mir
“I’m happy because I’ve improved my general pace and my fast lap pace. We’ve worked well all day, improving every area of the bike a little bit. We didn’t focus on any one thing really, more just my overall feeling with bike and building my experience up.”
Sylvain Guintoli
“I’ve done quite a bit of work today, continuing to test this modified chassis we have – trying to adapt it and find the strongest points and the weaker points. We also made some good discoveries with the bike in general, so we feel it’s going well. I was much quicker than yesterday, so I improved my pace. It’s great to test following a race because I already felt comfortable with the track and the conditions so I could put in quicker laps right from the start of the day.”
CATALUNYA, 1 DAY TEST – CLASSIFICATION:
1. VIÑALES, Maverick Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1:38.967
2. MORBIDELLI, Franco Petronas Yamaha SRT 1:39.014 0.047 / 0.047
3. MARQUEZ, Marc Repsol Honda Team 1:39.257 0.290 / 0.243
4. RINS, Alex Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1:39.334 0.367 / 0.077
5. QUARTARARO, Fabio Petronas Yamaha SRT 1:39.428 0.461 / 0.094
6. BAGNAIA, Francesco Pramac Racing 1:39.466 0.499 / 0.038
7. NAKAGAMI, Takaaki LCR Honda IDEMITSU 1:39.555 0.588 / 0.089
8. MIR, Joan Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1:39.670 0.703 / 0.115
9. MILLER, Jack Pramac Racing 1:39.745 0.778 / 0.075
10. CRUTCHLOW, Cal LCR Honda CASTROL 1:39.903 0.936 / 0.158
11. PETRUCCI, Danilo Mission Winnow Ducati 1:39.917 0.950 / 0.014
12. DOVIZIOSO, Andrea Mission Winnow Ducati 1:39.925 0.958 / 0.008
13. RABAT, Tito Reale Avintia Racing 1:39.938 0.971 / 0.013
14. ROSSI, Valentino Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1:39.968 1.001 / 0.030
15. ZARCO, Johann Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1:40.197 1.230 / 0.229
16. ESPARGARO, Pol Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1:40.201 1.234 / 0.004
17. LORENZO, Jorge Repsol Honda Team 1:40.357 1.390 / 0.156
18. SMITH, Bradley Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1:40.564 1.597 / 0.207
19. IANNONE, Andrea Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1:40.606 1.639 / 0.042
20. OLIVEIRA, Miguel Red Bull KTM Tech 3 1:40.862 1.895 / 0.256
21. ABRAHAM, Karel Reale Avintia Racing 1:41.100 2.133 / 0.238
22. SYAHRIN, Hafizh Red Bull KTM Tech 3 1:41.162 2.195 / 0.062
23. GUINTOLI, Sylvain Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1:41.243 2.276 / 0.081
24. BRADL, Stefan Team HRC 1:41.429 2.462 / 0.186
25. PEDROSA, Dani Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1:41.824 2.857 / 0.395
