Stoner Leads Jerez MotoGP Test, Day 1

2012 MotoGP Pre-Season Test Results

The first day of Jerez pre-season testing wrapped up Friday with the man who dominated both Sepang test sessions on top – Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner.

The two-time MotoGP Champion broke into the 1:40 barrier five laps out of 54, with a best of 1:39.146 aboard the Honda RC213V. His fastest lap arrived during his final lap while the track was under colder conditions than the morning sessions, which he also led.

To put this time into perspective, the fastest lap (qualifying) at Jerez is a 1:38.189, set by Jorge Lorenzo in 2008 (Yamaha), and the circuit record (race lap) is a 1:39.731, set by Dani Pedrosa in 2010 (Honda).

With the above stats, it’s no doubt who closely followed Stoner Friday at Jerez – Lorenzo and Pedrosa, respectively.

The 2010 MotoGP Champion Lorenzo was 0.273 of a second aboard is Yamaha YZR-M1, which was unveiled in 2012 livery at the Spanish circuit. During the test, Lorenzo tweaked electronic settings aboard the M1 to improve acceleration, allowing him the best of 1:39.419 within 76 laps.

Pedrosa was third fastest, 0.433 of a second behind his teammate. During the testing, Pedrosa improved an issue with braking he had aboard the RC213V.

Fourth fastest was Lorenzo’s teammate, the American Ben Spies, who posted a 1:39.984, 0.838 of a second behind Stoner. Spies was followed by Monster 3 Tech Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow, who was the final rider to post within a second of Stoner; Crutchlow was 0.984 of a second behind Stoner.

Nicky Hayden was the fastest Ducati rider with a 1:40.512, followed by Alvaro Bautista aboard the San Carlo Honda Gresini RC213V. Bautista suffered a crash during the early sessions, but was able to complete day 1, allowing him to become more familiar with the RC213V.

Eighth went to Crutchlow’s teammate Andrea Dovizioso, who suffered some sort of illness during the test. Dovi ended Friday 1.519 seconds behind Stoner.

Nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi was the ninth fastest Friday, 1.774 off Stoner’s time. The Ducati Team GP12 rider reported he was losing time on corner entrance aboard the Desmo, and also encountered problems with the front-end, an issue that plagued him throughout 2011.

Completing the top-10 was the rookie Stefan Bradl aboard the LCR Honda; the reigning Moto2 Champion posted a best lap of 1:40.983.

The fastest CRT time went to Randy de Puniet aboard the Power Electronics Aspar; he was 1.869 of a second behind Stoner aboard the Aprilia-powered machine.

The riders will be back on the Jerez circuit Saturday for the second of three days in testing.

2012 Jerez Pre-Season MotoGP Test: Friday Times: