2013 MotoGP Testing
Following Catalunya MotoGP, most of the grid remained at the Spanish circuit Monday for an official MotoGP test.
The man who led the session, which included Suzuki prototypes, was Sunday’s race winner, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo. The reigning MotoGP was was followed 0.051 of a second back by Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden, with LCR Honda’s Stefan Bradl a further 0.323 of a second back.
Missing from the test were two riders who would have likely been Lorenzo’s biggest challengers – Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez.
The two riders, who filled the rest of the podium at Catalunya MotoGP, skipped out on the test to prep for a private test at Motorland Aragon Tuesday.
But unfortunately, the Tuesday testing sessions was prevented due to rain. Instead, Repsol Honda’s Technical Director Takeo Yokoyama took the opportunity to present the 2014 RC213V prototype machine to the press.
Speaking to the press, Takeo Yokoyamah said “this is the prototype of 2014 machine. It is a complete new bike, both in term of engine and chassis. Our plan is to test it now in order to be able to do, eventually, some change before the after race test in Valencia in November.
“Anyway, if Dani [Pedrosa] and Marc [Márquez] will find something in the bike that they really feel is a big improvement comparing with their actual RC213V, HRC will do its best to provide this already later this season as we already did last year.”
Repsol Honda is hoping for better weather conditions Wednesday for the scheduled test. Yamaha and Suzuki are also planning to join Repsol Honda at the Aragon circuit.