2013 Yamaha Factory Racing
The results from the final preseason MotoGP test of 2013 helped solidify one thing – the Yamaha Factory Racing duo of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo is going to be hard to beat.
When the three-day test at Jerez wrapped up Monday, each YZR-M1 rider led a day. Two-time MotoGP Champion Lorenzo (99) led day one, and Rossi (46) day two. As for the third day, it was also a Yamaha – the Monster Tech 3 YZR-M1 piloted by Cal Crutchlow, with Rossi just behind.
Overall, both Rossi and Lorenzo were satisfied with the 2013 package, and feel they can be competitive beginning at the opening round in Qatar April 7.
Lorenzo leading is nothing new, but MotoGP fans around the world went wild when Rossi returned to the top of the time sheets, which is something that rarely happened in the past two years as the 34-year-old Italian competed with Ducati Team.
When the tests were over, Crutchlow was fastest of all three days combined with a 1:39.511. Rossi trailed by 0.014 of a second, and Lorenzo by 0.029 of a second.
Attached above are video highlights of Rossi and Lorenzo at the Jerez MotoGP preseason tests.
Yamaha Factory Racing Rider Quotes:
Valentino Rossi (Yamaha Factory Racing YZR-M1 MotoGP) says: “I’m so happy because at the end of today’s session we had some quite good conditions to make some laps in the dry and especially because for us it was very important to try the new chassis.
“The feeling is generally ok; I was able to be competitive in difficult conditions and I also made good lap times with the used tyre. The new chassis has some good and bad points but I think I will start the season with the one I used yesterday and test this one again during the season. I am happy about the test; I was competitive all three days so I am looking forward to going to Qatar.”
Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing YZR-M1 MotoGP) says: “We didn’t think we would practice so much today because the weather was so bad but finally we had two hours to practice and improve some things on the bike. I made a long run that I think was positive to understand the behavior of the bike with old tires. We are not the fastest but I think we are very consistent.
“It’s been a positive test for us to gain some motivation after Austin; that was a difficult three days. It shows that every track is a different world so let’s see what happens in Qatar. There can be a lot of sand on the track there so we’ll see how it is. Like every year you feel a little nervous at the beginning, it’s so important to start in a good way and get some points!”
