2016 Jerez MotoGP Test Results
Following round four of 2016 MotoGP at Jerez Circuit, which was dominated by Valentino Rossi, all teams except Avintia Racing Ducati remained at the Spanish circuit for a one-day test.
The focus was on three new Michelin tires, new parts from each team, and also further tweaks of the new spec electronics. This created some intense on-track action, but the main focus was surely the new rubber.
Speaking of the test, MotoGP says “Tires have been a major talking point throughout the start of the season and Michelin are still working hard to deliver the best possible material they can. The French company brought along three new front tires for riders to test, each team were given one tire with the hard compound and a revised construction and another tyre designed to stop locking under braking. Factory teams were also given the third front tire, which has both a new compound and new construction. Rear tires remained unchanged.”
When the test completed, the man who finished third at Jerez Sunday, Marc Marquez, was quickest. Along with the new tires, the Repsol Honda pilot tested a new swingarm, electronic settings, and three small winglets (like Suzuki GSX-RR) aboard the RC213V. The two-time MotoGP Champion’s fastest time was a 1:39.313 on lap 11 of 91 – though he crashed during the end of the session.
But only 0.019 of a second back was the man who finished second at Jerez Sunday – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Jorge Lorenzo, who posted a quickest time on lap 26 of 59 aboard his YZR-M1. Next was Suzuki’s Maverick Vinales, who was 0.223 of a second back.
Rossi, who earned his first win since the British GP last season, was fourth overall, 0.319 of a second back, just ahead of Marquez’s teammate, Dani Pedrosa.
Movistar Yamaha one again tested the rear fuel tank, and Rossi also a new exhaust layout. As for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad, Pol Espargaro tweaked electronics as Bradley Smith worked on rear suspension.
Team Suzuki’s Vinales and Aleix Espargaro both tested with 2015 frames, and new winglets.
MotoGP reports that Aprilia brought the most parts, including a new frame and swingarm. Due to the Italian manufacturer’s position, they are allowed to alter their engine this year – unlike Yamaha, Honda or Ducati.
Speaking of the latter, the factory Ducati Team of Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso focused mostly on the Michelin tires and tried to resolve setup issues presented during the race. Aspar Team MotoGP’s Eugene Laverty and Yonny Hernandez worked on improving their setup, as they had no new parts to test. Scott Redding and his Octo Pramac Yakhnich team spent the day searching for answers after a disastrous race on Sunday where they had huge rear grip issues.
As for the remaining Honda RC213V, LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow worked with new winglets and Ohlins suspesnion setups. A new exhaust, in line with that run by the factory bikes, was brought to the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS camp as Jack Miller worked on improving his feeling through the tight corners, MotoGP reports.
The testing occurs two weeks ahead of round five at the tight Le Mans Bugatti Circuit.
