Aragon MotoGP Test: Lorenzo Tops Day 2; Suzuki has Braking Issues

2013 Motorland Aragon Day 2 Unofficial MotoGP Test Results

Clear conditions welcomed the MotoGP teams at Motorland Aragon Wednesday for the second day of testing. On Tuesday, only Honda participated, but the Repsol Honda crew didn’t get on the track due to the wet conditions.

But much changed Wednesday regarding weather. And this was good news because of two other teams joined the testing – Yamaha Factory Racing and the Suzuki Test Team with Randy de Puniet at the controls of the 1000cc inline-four prototype. Suzuki is prepping to make a full return to MotoGP in 2015.

And when things wrapped up Wednesday, two rider unofficially broke the Aragon MotoGP record – Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez and Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo.

But Lorenzo got the best time of the day, posting a 1:48.076 aboard the YZR-M1 compared to the rookie Marquez’s 1:48.434, which was posted on the 2013 RC213V.

Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing YZR-M1 MotoGP) says: “Compared to normal I’ve been stronger today. At this track normally I suffer many problems in setting up the bike and getting the bike to work like in other tracks. This time from the beginning I have been very competitive with a lot of confidence.

“Also I think I am in very good shape so I have taken profit of it. I could also test a new tyre to put myself in a qualifying situation and I did a very good lap time. We are just testing very little things but it is better than nothing.”

Honda teams also tested the 2014 RC213V prototypes Wednesday. The first one out on the track Tuesday with the new bike was LCR Honda’s Stefan Bradl. But on Wednesday, Pedrosa also lapped the circuit nine times on the new bike.

Pedrosa spent most of the day on the 2013 version, posting the third quickest time. He was followed by Yamaha Factory Racing’s Valentino Rossi.

The nine-time World Champion reported being satisfied with the new changes on the front of his YZR-M1, and he is enjoying the improved feeling on the bike.

Valentino Rossi (Yamaha Factory Racing YZR-M1 MotoGP) says: “First of all we modified a bit the setting and also the front fork and now I feel more confident in braking, I can brake deeper and stop the bike in a better way. For me this is the biggest improvement.

“After this we tried the swing arm like Jorge has it, a little bit more stiff which I like. We tried some other small things; at the end we made a good package that gives me a really good feeling, especially in braking. I’m so happy because until today I didn’t have this feeling in braking, I am always in a bit of trouble.

“I can’t wait for Assen to understand if this is also improved at other tracks. It is important for the qualification lap because you have to push more in braking. This result is especially important here in Aragon as this is not one of my best tracks. I have not made great races here yet but the pace today and the lap times at the end make me very happy.”

Bradl was quickest on the 2014 version, but stressed that this was only due to running new tires when with the non-liveried 2014 chassis. As for GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista, he continued working with the new Nissin brakes and Showa suspension as he preps for Assen MotoGP.

As for Suzuki, de Puniet had more difficulties than he did at the Catalunya test on Monday. The Frenchman suffered brake problems on the prototype, but will return Thursday to continuing working.

Marquez has yet to ride the 2014 RC213V, but is planning to on Thursday, the final day of testing at Aragon.

2013 Motorland Aragon Private MotoGP Test: Day 2 Times:   
1. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Yamaha Factory Racing: 1’48.076
2. Marc Marquez (SPA), Repsol Honda Team: 1’48.434
3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA), Repsol Honda Team: 1’48.928
4. Valentino Rossi (ITA), Yamaha Factory Racing: 1’49.007
5. Stefan Bradl (GER), LCR Honda MotoGP: 1’49.553
6. Alvaro Bautista (SPA), Go&Fun Honda Gresini: 1’50.080
7. Randy De Puniet (FRA), Suzuki Test Team: 1’50.860

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