MotoGPÂ Testing underway at Phillip Island
After a surprising and revealing Sepang test, the MotoGP paddock heads to Phillip Island, the track that witnessed the epic 2015 Phillip Island MotoGP race in search of more data and knowledge.
Some had feared that the 2016 MotoGP World Championship would be unable to match or recreate the incredible 2015 season as the grid change tyres and electronics.
All of these doubts were put to bed as the riders produced highly competitive times in Sepang, especially Jorge Lorenzo who topped the test with a 1’59.580, set on a hard rear and almost a whole second faster than the race lap record from 2015.
Jorge Lorenzo
“I look forward to testing in Philip Island, especially in this period with warmer temperatures. I look forward to checking if the bike is as strong here, after the good start in Malaysia. It‘s also an important test for the tyres at a track where usually the compounds struggle more.
“From my side I‘m keen on keeping the pace and working even harder to understand the bike, the electronics and the tyres. Let‘s see if we can continue the correct way of development. I‘m also feeling good in my skin and I‘m preparing mentally and physically for the coming season, which for sure will be as tough as last year.
“Despite the good results we had in Sepang, it‘s crucial to stay calm and keep our feet on the ground because in this sport every day is so tricky and things change quickly.”
There were surprises throughout the field as Danilo Petrucci and Hector Barbera locked out the top three ahead of Valentino Rossi.
Valentino Rossi
“After a few days of rest and working out at home, I’m ready for the second test of the season in Phillip Island. I‘m very happy to test our bike at the Australian circuit. The temperatures will be high and this will be a good opportunity to gain other important data about the new tyres and the electronics.
“The test in Malaysia went very well for Yamaha. We still need to improve but in general I was very satisfied about the behaviour of the bike. Yamaha worked really hard during the winter and I‘m eager to test the bike at another track such as Phillip Island, where we usually are pretty fast. We have to stay focused. Our rivals are working a lot and already from the Australian Test many things can change.
“I feel good, I‘m continuing the physical preparation and it will be very important to return at the front immediately on track. We want to continue the work begun in Malaysia and continue testing new material and improve the bike for this season.”
It was also an eventful test for Avintia Racing’s Loris Baz who fell at 290km/h along the straight due to an issue with the rear, subsequently causing Michelin to withdraw the soft option tyre. Michelin are as eager as the riders to see how the new tyres will handle the demanding Australian track.
Having only two riders inside the top ten in Sepang, Honda are eager to head to a different circuit in order to continue to test their new ‘evo’ engine as they seek to solve their aggressive power delivery. Due to two-week gap between tests it doesn’t appear Honda will have any new major upgrades available, but work on electronics will continue.
Jack Miller, who sat out the Sepang test due to injury, will return to action at his home circuit as he prepares for his second season in the premiere class.
Even after a strong showing in Sepang, Yamaha aren’t resting on their laurels and head to Australia with the goal of confirming their findings from Sepang. With Michelin having taken significant steps forward on their front tyre, it appears that the frame Yamaha designed for 2016 may not be used and more back-to-back comparisons are needed. Neither of the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP riders are yet to do a race run on the Michelin tyres with the Magneti Marelli ECU, with Phillip Island’s less extreme heat this will be near the top of their list.
Ducati are another manufacturer who head to Australia after a successful Sepang test, both Petrucci and Barbera showed well while Iannone and Dovizioso made significant progress on the 2016 machine. The Ducati proved to be hyper competitive at Phillip Island in 2015 and the Bologna factory are looking to confirm that the all eight of their bikes will be strong once again.
Although Casey Stoner was in Sepang, it does not appear he will be riding. Eugene Laverty, who suffered a heavy fall in Sepang and injured his hand, will also be back on track..
Of all the teams it is Suzuki who look set to bring the most new parts to Australia, the Japanese test team will be testing the fully seamless gearbox with the aim of making it available to Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaro for the Qatar test. Both the factory riders have been in Hamamatsu, Japan performing extensive wind tunnel work for the engineers.
Aprilia will miss the Australia test as they head to Qatar for a private test where they will debut their 2016 RS-GP. Test rider Mike Di Meglio performed a shakedown on the new machine at Aragon on the 10th and 11th of February.
Phillip Island is infamous for being a rider’s circuit, where a rider can overcome bike issues for a strong result. As such expect a variety of riders to be fighting for the top spot.
The three days of testing began today, February 17th at 1000 Local Time and finishes on the 19th of February at 1800.
Unfortunately inclement weather affected proceedings this morning but riders started venturing out to explore the conditions around 1100. The weather is predicted to be a little patchy over the three days but there should still be plenty of opportunity for dry track time. The possibility of showers over the next three days however means that riders and teams will be very busy when the track is dry as they aim to complete their test program in full should the weather worsen over the upcoming days.Â
Sepang MotoGP Test Combined Times – All Three Days
- Jorge Lorenzo 1m59.580 Yamaha (Day 3)
- Danilo Petrucci 2m00.095 Ducati (Day 2)
- Hector Barbera 2m00.387 Ducati (Day 2)
- Valentino Rossi 2m00.556 Yamaha (Day 3)
- Marc Marquez 2m00.843 Honda (Day 2)
- Cal Crutchlow 2m00.899 Honda (Day 2)
- Scott Redding 2m01.049 Ducati (Day 2)
- Andrea Iannone 2m01.052 Ducati (Day 2)
- Casey Stoner 2m01.070 Ducati (Day 3)
- Bradley Smith 2m01.107 Yamaha (Day 2)
- Dani Pedrosa 2m01.161 Honda (Day 3)
- Maverick Vinales 2m01.244 Suzuki (Day 3)
- Aleix Espargaro 2m01.623 Suzuki (Day 3)
- Yonny Hernandez 2m01.644 Ducati (Day 2)
- Andrea Dovizioso 2m01.675 (Day 3)
- Pol Espargaro 2m01.870 Yamaha (Day 3)
- Tito Rabat 2m02.328 Honda (Day 2)
- Stefan Bradl 2m02.372 Aprilia (Day 2
- Loris Baz 2m02.541 Ducati (Day 3)
- Katsuyuki Nakasuga 2m02.691 Yamaha (Day 2)
- Alvaro Bautista 2m02.876 Aprilia (Day 2)
- Michele Pirro 2m03.203 Ducati (Day 1)
- Eugene Laverty 2m03.519 Ducati (Day 3)
