MotoGP News
After posting the fastest times during the Brno test in the Czech Republic on Monday, MotoGP championship leader Jorge Lorenzo got to try a 2011 prototype Fiat Yamaha M1.
During the test on his current factory motorcycle, Lorenzo posted a 1:56.269 while expermenting with an engine upgrade and various suspension settings. All in all, after 44 laps on both bikes, the 23-year-old Spaniard felt confident with the testing results, despite rain drowning out the remainder of the session.
Jorge Lorenzo says: “We tried a new engine which seems a little bit more powerful in general, and it has more acceleration. We also tried the possible bike for next year, the chassis, and it’s still a prototype so we don’t know clearly yet what is better or worse on it.”
“This was an important and interesting test for us, both for the rest of the season and looking towards next year. We had a lot to do but unfortunately the rain forced us to stop early. We got quite a lot of information though so hopefully it will help the engineers to improve things even more.”
Lorenzo also commented on the departure of his teammate Valentino Rossi to Ducati, and the possibility of currenty Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Ben Spies joining Fiat Yamaha next year.
Rossi made his announcement that he signed a two-year contract with Ducati after the Czech Republic in Brno, and Fiat Yamaha Team Manager Lin Jarvis reported that Spies is a prospect for the 2011 season.
Jorge Lorenzo says: “It’s big news and will be very interesting for next year. Ben seems like a good guy and very competitive so for sure it gives more motivation for next year.”
Lorenzo currently leads the championship with 235 points, 77 over Repsol Honda Dani Pedrosa. MotoGP returns on Aug. 27-29 for the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix, Round 11 of 18 in the 2010 MotoGP Championship.