Jerez Moto2 Test
After a crash during the second day of Moto2 tests at the Jerez Circuit, Marc Marquez finally got some track time on the third and last day of tests scheduled for the Spanish track.
The Repsol Moto2 rider completed 40 laps with a fastest time of 1 minute, 42 seconds and 980 thousandths, finishing second of the motorcycle classification.
Despite the menacing clouds that remained over the track the whole day, weather conditions were today warmer than in the past two days, with 20ºC ambient temperature and 25ºC of track temperature.
So, the Repsol rider was able to finish the last training session on a high before travelling to Qatar in two weeks, where the World Championship 2011 will kick off. Marquez completed a productive test session, showing that yesterday’s crash was no more than a mere anecdote.
The Repsol rider did 40 laps with a strong pace, which confirms the 125cc GP World Champion’s good adaptation to the Moto2 class.
Nevertheless, when at about 2pm the wind started to increase and temperatures begin to be colder, Marquez and his team concluded the tests to avoid running under less than ideal conditions.
Marc Marquez (Reposl Moto2 – 1’42.980 s, 40 laps,177 km) says: "Today was the last test of the season. I think we can be satisfied with the work we have done. We achieved the objectives we set ourselves every day and that is the most important thing.
"The overall assessment of this preseason is clearly positive. I feel ever more comfortable on the bike and, despite we still have a lot of work to do, I want to thank all the team members for the great job they are doing.
"In the morning we were finally able to enjoy better conditions. We set a good time, although that was not our main aim. About the long runs, we can also be satisfied, as we have been fairly consistent.
"At Qatar everything will be different, as it is a completely new circuit with the Moto2 and we will be with the rest of the riders of the class. We will see there how things really go".
This was the last time that Marquez got on his bike before the start of the 2011 World Championship at the Qatar circuit of Losail.
Emilio Alzamora (Repsol Moto2 Team Manager) says: "The evaluation of the preseason is very positive but we have to follow the same path. Now Marc knows all the team and how they work and he is familiarized with the Moto2.
"He still has a lot to learn but his evolution is good about braking references, how to open gas when going out of the corners, the trajectories, etc. We have to face the challenge of each circuit, as all of them will be new for us, but our aim is to finish races and gather experience".
Final Jerez Moto2 Test Results
1. Stefan Bradl (Kalex) – 1:42.697
2. Marc Marquez (Suter) – 1:42.980
3. Yuki Takahashi (Moriwaki) – 1:43.338
4. Thomas Luthi (Suter) – 1:43.435
5. Simone Corsi (FTR) – 1:43.502
