2019 FIM Enel MotoE World Cup
Official MotoE Test – Valencia
Hector Garzo has finished Day 1 of the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup official Valencia Test at the top of the timesheets thanks to his 1:41.743, with Eric Granado and Niki Tuuli completing the top three. Granado, who topped the first day of testing in Jerez, was just 0.060 off the top.
A 1:42.136 puts Mike Di Meglio in fourth on the opening day at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, but it wasn’t such a successful day for fellow Frenchman Randy de Puniet. The rider suffered a highside at Turn 11 and will have an x-ray on Monday evening on his foot. Nevertheless, the MotoGP podium finisher intends to be back on the bike for Days 2 and 3.
Nico Terol rounded out the top five, ahead of Trentino Gresini MotoE’s Matteo Ferrari, with Maria Herrera slotting into seventh. Alex De Angelis, Mattia Casadei and Kenny Foray completed the top ten.
Nico Terol – P5
“To be honest I am happy. I was nervous before the test because I haven’t raced for so many years, although I know that my level is still high – I just needed to see my name up there on the timesheets. We have made a lot of progress from the last test at Jerez to now. Having been so close to the top this morning I wanted more in the afternoon but I know we are on the right track. This is a year to be enjoyed and to do the best job possible. It is a different bike and we can only do so much with the set-up, but we will continue to give our all. We know where we can improve and we want to take another step tomorrow. I want to say thanks to the team for all the hard work they have done here today.”
María Herrera – P7
“This morning I went out with a lot of confidence and I was able to get comfortable quickly on the bike. The team have done a good job because they have moved the weight towards the rear and now the bike is turning better. I was riding alone virtually the whole time and found a good feeling on the bike, which is a positive. In the afternoon the bike was sliding around a little more and I didn’t have the same confidence but I know that by improving in a couple of areas we will see the lap time come down tomorrow. In general, I am happy with this first day of the test.”
Alex De Angelis – P8
“I’m satisfied with the way things went on this first day of testing. Especially in the afternoon we worked hard on the bike and I think we are on the right direction. If I have to be honest I’m having a lot of fun riding the Energica Ego, especially in the areas of the circuit with lots of corners where you can feel the power in acceleration”.
One man not on track was Bradley Smith, who was on MotoGP test rider duty in Barcelona.
Josh Hook completed 11 laps without taking useless risks during the morning session – on a completely new circuit for him – and finished in 17th position. The afternoon saw him pushing and improving his time, with a crash in the third sector.
Josh Hook – P16
“For the first time I am lapping on this circuit and that’s why in the morning session I tried to understand the circuit well. Things were going very well in the afternoon but unfortunately I crashed. We will have to analyse the data to see why I crashed as I didn’t get any warning. I am convinced that we can do well tomorrow”.
