RW Racing Review Valencia Moto3 Test Day 3

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After three days of testing RW Racing GP leaves Valencia pleased with the results. Ana Carrasco ran 80 laps on the last day and improved to 1.41,214. Scott Deroue could only run a few laps before he crashed. He didn’t improve his best lap time set on day 2 but still was satisfied.

RW Racing GP team manager Jarno Janssen left the Ricardo Tormo track in a good mood. “It was a good test. We’ve learned a lot, we shifted a lot of work and everybody is happy. I saw smiling faces around me in the garage, so that’s good. I’m glad we went to Almeria first to make sure everything was set up to make it possible to use the full three days here in Valencia. For sure we still have much to do before the first race, but we still got time.”

Next week already testing continues with three days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) in Jerez.

Scott Deroue: 

“The day was too short for me unfortunately. Already after a few laps I crashed. I entered a corner too early and was kicked off by the bike. I’ve tried to continue, but my back hurt and I wasn’t confident. It’s a pity because I was hoping to improve my lap time. Thank you to the mechanics who managed to get my bike back in mint-condition. All in all I’m satisfied with the past three days. I’m looking forward to Jerez: a track I know well from the Rookies Cup.”

Ana Carrasco: 

“I’m happy. The bike feels good. I had some issues with braking when entering the corners, but with some new settings we managed to get that under control. There’s only one corner I’m still struggling with. I’m satisfied with where we are now and hope to improve again in Jerez next week.”

RW Racing Press Release

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Tech 3 Racing Review Moto2 Valencia Test

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Tech 3’s Marcel Schrotter and Álex Mariñelarena today completed the first of three pre-season tests at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana in positive spirits, in preparation for the 2014 Moto2 World Championship. 

The all new rider line up tested the Tech3 Racing Team’s exclusively self-designed and engineered Mistral 610 and eased back into the racing after a lengthy off season. Additionally, both riders explored different set ups, and became accustomed to the new 2014 spec Moto2 bikes. 

Although the weather in Valencia did not initially provide ideal conditions for the Moto2 riders on the opening day with cold winds chilling track temperatures, Wednesday and Thursday were warmer and supplied the Moto2 riders with good conditions for the opening test. 

Marcel Schrotter joins the Tech3 Racing Team having already spent several years in different classes in the World Championship. The German rider began the test by familiarizing himself with the Mistral 610, before exploring set-ups which would suit his riding style. Working relentlessly with his new team, Schrotter pushed forward and set encouraging lap times, despite a minor crash on Tuesday afternoon. This incident did not lower his confidence, and he proceeded to better his lap time to 1:36.684 which was one and a half seconds quicker than his initial time set on Tuesday. The Bavarian rider finished the testing session in 19th.

Álex Mariñelarena continued his learning experience of the Mistral 610 at Valencia as he begins his first, full time campaign with the Tech3 Racing Team this year. The young Spaniard’s time on track was restricted due to an early fall in the Tuesday session. He was uninjured but consequently lost track time due to repairs. However, the former CEV Buckler race winner regained his confidence and continued to push onward during the following days, and lowered his lap times. Mariñelarena finished the test with a best time of 1:37.015, having amassed 25 laps on the final day. His final placing was 25th.

Preparations for the season opener at the Losail Circuit in Qatar on the 23rd with Tech3 Racing Team’s Moto2 riders aiming to optimize the testing time before the season begins. The next testing session will commence on the 18th of February at the Circuito De Jerez, Spain.

Marcel Schrotter – 19th – 1:36.684:

“I am happy with how the test went. There were a few issues yesterday and this morning, with the bike suffering from chatter. This was unfortunate as the team and I were unable to work through our test schedule which we planned. Once this was solved, I had a good feeling with the bike and improved quickly. There are still six days of testing left, and I am confident that I will be prepared and be closer to the front as Qatar approaches."

Álex Mariñelarena - 25th – 1:37.015:

“Overall, I am quite happy. I was disappointed to have crashed on the first day, which meant that we lost the whole day of testing. On the second day, the team had to change the engine, which meant that we lost even more time. However, once everything was repaired on Wednesday afternoon, I was happy with how the bike felt and was also pleased with some of the other improvements the team made. I am feeling really confident and am looking forward to Jerez. I want say a big thanks to my Tech3 Racing Team for all of their work this week as well.”

Tech 3 Racing Press Release

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Gresini Racing Review Moto2 Valencia Test Day 3

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The Team Gresini Moto2 and Lorenzo Baldassarri ended today the official Moto2 test at Valencia: over the three days spent at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo the young  Italian Moto2 rookie was able to complete a total of over 200 laps, constantly lowering his lap times and taking a very important step forward in understanding the Suter machine he will use in the forthcoming season. At the end of the test Baldassarri  resulted 23rd among the 31 riders testing on track, with a best time of 1’36”926.

The next meeting is now scheduled for February 18th at Jerez, for another three days of testing: in addition to Baldassarri, next week Xavier Siméon will also be back on track aboard the Team Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 Suter.

Lorenzo Baldassarro (1'36"926 - 66 LAPS)

“Like in the first two days, the work we did today was crucial to understand the behavior of the bike: doing many laps is so important because at every session I can understand some more aspects in which I can improve. The next tests are scheduled in Jerez, a track where last November I have already had the opportunity to try the Moto2: I will have more references and therefore it will be interesting to see what level I reached. It’s an excellent opportunity to continue the great work that we are doing”.

Fabrizio Cecchini (Technical Coordinator)

“Baldassarri is showing a steady improvement, working without pressure, and his performances over the three days in Valencia proves it. Lorenzo is very good at giving to the technicians useful information with regard to his feelings on the bike, a quality that is unusual for a boy that is just 17: for this reason I am convinced that in the next test we can make a further improvement”.

Gresini Racing Press Release

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Combined Session Time Valencia Moto2 Test Day 3

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1 Maverick VIÑALES Pons HP 40 01:35.302
2 Takaaki NAKAGAMI Idemitsu Honda Team Asia 01:35.337
3 Thomas LUTHI Interwetten Paddock Moto2 01:35.422
4 Esteve RABAT Marc VDS Racing Team 01:35.557
5 Sandro CORTESE Dynavolt Intact GP 01:35.564
6 Jordi TORRES Mapfre Aspar Team Moto2 01:35.643
7 Julian SIMON Italtrans Racing Team 01:35.725
8 Nico TEROL Mapfre Aspar Team Moto2 01:35.779
9 Mika KALLIO Marc VDS Racing Team 01:35.821
10 Luis SALOM Pons HP 40 01:35.844
11 Alex DE ANGELIS Tasca Racing Moto2 01:36.041
12 Sam LOWES Speed Up 01:36.082
13 Axel PONS Argiñano & Gines Racing 01:36.335
14 Dominique AEGERTER Technomag CarXpert 01:36.384
15 Johann ZARCO Caterham Moto Racing 01:36.407
16 Jonas FOLGER Argiñano & Gines Racing 01:36.453
17 Josh HERRIN Caterham Moto Racing 01:36.566
18 Marcel SCHROTTER Tech 3 01:36.684
19 Anthony WEST QMMF Racing Team 01:36.764
20 Franco MORBIDELLI Italtrans Racing Team 01:36.785
21 Louis ROSSI SAG Team 01:36.852
22 Hafizh SYAHRIN Petronas Raceline Malaysia 01:36.886
23 Lorenzo BALDASSARRI Gresini Moto2 01:36.926
24 Alex MARIÑELARENA Tech 3 01:37.015
25 Roman RAMOS QMMF Racing Team 01:37.067
26 Gino REA AGT-Rea Racing 01:37.192
27 Azlan SHAH Idemitsu Honda Team Asia 01:37.213
28 Randy KRUMMENACHER Iodaracing Project 01:37.314
29 Thitipong WAROKORN A.P. Honda SAG Team 01:37.867
30 Robin MULHAUSER Technomag CarXpert 01:37.878
31 Tetsuta NAGASHIMA Teluru Team JiR Webike 01:38.915

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Combined Session Time Valencia Moto3 Test Day 3

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1 Jack MILLER Red Bull KTM Ajo 01:39.773
2 Romano FENATI Sky Racing Team by VR46 01:40.008
3 Juanfran GUEVARA Mapfre Aspar Team Moto3 01:40.112
4 Niccolo ANTONELLI Junior Team GO&FUN Moto3 01:40.127
5 Isaac VIÑALES Calvo Team 01:40.464
6 Miguel OLIVEIRA Mahindra Racing 01:40.533
7 Francesco BAGNAIA Sky Racing Team by VR46 01:40.610
8 Philipp OETTL Interwetten Paddock Moto3 01:40.640
9 Danny KENT Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo 01:40.675
10 Livio LOI Marc VDS Racing Team 01:40.675
11 Eric GRANADO Calvo Team 01:40.694
12 Alex RINS Estrella Galicia 0.0 01:40.711
13 Enea BASTIANINI Junior Team GO&FUN Moto3 01:40.722
14 Efren VAZQUEZ Saxoprint-RTG 01:40.822
15 Jakub KORNFEIL Calvo Team 01:40.876
16 Brad BINDER Ambrogio Racing 01:41.115
17 John McPHEE Saxoprint-RTG 01:41.170
18 Niklas AJO Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo 01:41.184
19 Arthur SISSIS Mahindra Racing 01:41.210
20 Ana CARRASCO RW Racing GP 01:41.214
21 Karel HANIKA Red Bull KTM Ajo 01:41.258
22 Hafiq AZMI SIC-Ajo 01:41.358
23 Alex MARQUEZ Estrella Galicia 0.0 01:41.480
24 Alessandro TONUCCI CIP Moto3 01:41.840
25 Zulfahmi KHAIRUDDIN Ongetta-AirAsia 01:41.973
26 Gabriel RAMOS Kiefer Racing 01:42.183
27 Bryan SCHOUTEN CIP Moto3 01:42.392
28 Alexis MASBOU Ongetta-Rivacold 01:42.404
29 Jules DANILO Ambrogio Racing 01:42.545
30 Luca GRUNWALD Kiefer Racing 01:42.551
31 Scott DEROUE RW Racing GP 01:43.004
32 Andrea LOCATELLI San Carlo Team Italia 01:43.293
33 Matteo FERRARI San Carlo Team Italia 01:43.424

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Go&Fun Honda Gresini Review Moto2 Valencia Test Day 2

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The second day of the official Moto2 test at Valencia saw Lorenzo Baldassari putting in a lot of kilometers riding the Team Gresini Moto2 Suter machine. The Italian completed a total of 87 laps of the Ricardo Tormo circuit, thus accumulating a significant amount of experience ahead of his first Grand Prix in the intermediate class of the World Championship, scheduled in Qatar next March 23rd.

Baldassari continued his apprenticeship with meticulousness, without focusing too much on lap times, even though he was able to improve his time from yesterday by over a second, signing a good 1’37”819.

The Team Gresini Moto2 will be back on track tomorrow for the third and final day of testing at the Ricardo Tormo circuit.

Lorenzo Baldassarri (1'37"819 - 87 LAPS)

“I'm satisfied because making so many laps is crucial for me to understand how to ride this bike: in some ways I’m still riding with a style more suitable for Moto3, where it’s important cornering speed. Today I learned a lot, also watching the other riders: I am aware that the road is still very long, but I have to keep going like this if I want to improve”.

Fabrizio Cecchini (Technical Coordinator)

“Today Baldassarri made a strong effort to accumulate a lot of experience and the fact that he has completed nearly 90 laps proves it. The goal was to make many kilometers, without pushing too hard, trying also to understand what the most experienced riders were doing on track. As further proof of his great determination, Lorenzo also went on the trackside to study the lines of the other riders in some parts of the track where he did not feel at ease. He is learning the right way, tomorrow we want to continue in this direction”.

Honda Gresini Press Release

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RW Racing Review Valencia Moto3 Test Day 2

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The second day of the IRTA test in Valencia was much better than the first – in general but also for RW Racing GP. Both Ana Carrasco and Scott Deroue managed to improve their lap times along the day, run a big number of laps and learn a lot about their bikes.

The much warmer conditions allowed the riders to concentrate more on their programmes and test a lot. RW Racing GP too was able to try new settings and adjustments of the bikes, to improve pace and handling. The effects were visible immediately, as Ana Carrasco cut 1,4 seconds of the lap time she set yesterday, and Scott Deroue 1,1 seconds.

During the day both improved further. Carrasco to 1.41,393, Deroue to 1.41,765. The Dutch rookie could have been even faster but he touched the limits in a fast lap in the final afternoon session. It wasn’t a big crash and Deroue was able to move on, but testing was finished, leaving him at 46 laps.

Carrasco ran 77 laps and was especially happy with the morning sessions. She immediately found her rhythm and was able to shift a lot of work. In the afternoon the wind took her out of her rhythm, but the results were still satisfying for both rider and team.

Jarno Janssen 

“It was a good day. Too bad Scott crashed in his fast lap. I think there could have been more in it. Luckily it was just a small crash. 25th is satisfactory for now. Ana did a great job as well, but I hope she can improve tomorrow. After all we are not only here to put in the miles, but also to see where we are compared to the rest. The goal for Ana is to get near the top 15.”

RW Racing Press Release

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Combined Session Time Valencia Moto3 Test Day 2

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1 Niccolo ANTONELLI Junior Team GO&FUN Moto3 01:39.454

2 Jack MILLER Red Bull KTM Ajo 01:39.462

3 Danny KENT Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo 01:39.726

4 Romano FENATI Sky Racing Team by VR46 01:39.885

5 Isaac VIÑALES Calvo Team 01:40.060

6 Francesco BAGNAIA Sky Racing Team by VR46 01:40.103

7 Enea BASTIANINI Junior Team GO&FUN Moto3 01:40.166

8 Miguel OLIVEIRA Mahindra Racing 01:40.206

9 Alex RINS Estrella Galicia 0.0 01:40.231

10 Juanfran GUEVARA Mapfre Aspar Team Moto3 01:40.382

11 Livio LOI Marc VDS Racing Team 01:40.394

12 Arthur SISSIS Mahindra Racing 01:40.409

13 Jakub KORNFEIL Calvo Team 01:40.444

14 Efren VAZQUEZ Saxoprint-RTG 01:40.546

15 Philipp OETTL Interwetten Paddock Moto3 01:40.601

16 Alex MARQUEZ Estrella Galicia 0.0 01:40.629

17 Hafiq AZMI SIC-Ajo 01:40.734

18 Eric GRANADO Calvo Team 01:40.789

19 Brad BINDER Ambrogio Racing 01:40.965

20 Niklas AJO Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo 01:41.127

21 Matteo FERRARI San Carlo Team Italia 01:41.321

22 Ana CARRASCO RW Racing GP 01:41.393

23 Luca GRUNWALD Kiefer Racing 01:41.542

24 Gabriel RAMOS Kiefer Racing 01:41.749

25 Scott DEROUE RW Racing GP 01:41.765

26 Jules DANILO Ambrogio Racing 01:41.962

27 Andrea LOCATELLI San Carlo Team Italia 01:42.043

28 Alessandro TONUCCI CIP Moto3 01:42.196

29 John McPHEE Saxoprint-RTG 01:42.406

30 Alexis MASBOU Ongetta-Rivacold 01:42.417

31 Zulfahmi KHAIRUDDIN Ongetta-AirAsia 01:43.019

32 Bryan SCHOUTEN CIP Moto3 01:43.464

33 Karel HANIKA Red Bull KTM Ajo 01:50.755

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Combined Session Time Valencia Moto2 Test Day 2

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1 Esteve RABAT Marc VDS Racing Team 01:35.155
2 Thomas LUTHI Interwetten Paddock Moto2 01:35.509
3 Mika KALLIO Marc VDS Racing Team 01:35.690
4 Jordi TORRES Mapfre Aspar Team Moto2 01:35.711
5 Nico TEROL Mapfre Aspar Team Moto2 01:35.715
6 Maverick VIÑALES Pons HP 40 01:35.810
7 Julian SIMON Italtrans Racing Team 01:35.810
8 Takaaki NAKAGAMI Idemitsu Honda Team Asia 01:35.849
9 Alex DE ANGELIS Tasca Racing Moto2 01:36.033
10 Luis SALOM Pons HP 40 01:36.073
11 Johann ZARCO Caterham Moto Racing 01:36.222
12 Sandro CORTESE Dynavolt Intact GP 01:36.354
13 Jonas FOLGER Argiñano & Gines Racing 01:36.439
14 Anthony WEST QMMF Racing Team 01:36.534
15 Axel PONS Argiñano & Gines Racing 01:36.629
16 Dominique AEGERTER Technomag CarXpert 01:36.686
17 Sam LOWES Speed Up 01:36.857
18 Louis ROSSI SAG Team 01:36.947
19 Azlan SHAH Idemitsu Honda Team Asia 01:36.955
20 Marcel SCHROTTER Tech 3 01:37.039
21 Franco MORBIDELLI Italtrans Racing Team 01:37.058
22 Gino REA AGT-Rea Racing 01:37.141
23 Randy KRUMMENACHER Iodaracing Project 01:37.151
24 Hafizh SYAHRIN Petronas Raceline Malaysia 01:37.229
25 Josh HERRIN Caterham Moto Racing 01:37.400
26 Alex MARIÑELARENA Tech 3 01:37.516
27 Roman RAMOS QMMF Racing Team 01:37.535
28 Lorenzo BALDASSARRI Gresini Moto2 01:37.819
29 Robin MULHAUSER Technomag CarXpert 01:38.413
30 Thitipong WAROKORN A.P. Honda SAG Team 01:39.217
31 Tetsuta NAGASHIMA Teluru Team JiR Webike 01:39.368

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RW Racing Review Valencia Moto3 Test day1

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With temperatures down to maximum 10 degrees Celsius and a cold, nasty wind RW Racing GP could get all of its to-do-list done. Nonetheless the first day of the official IRTA test in Valencia was not completely lost. Ana Carrasco did around 40 laps, Scott Deroue 42 laps.

Looking at the weather forecast for tomorrow RW Racing GP team manager Jarno Janssen decided it was wiser to narrow down the risk of riders getting hurt and bikes getting damaged. “Next to that we have a restricted amount of tyres we can use over these three days. In these conditions it just doesn’t make sense to make more laps than we did.”

Scott Deroue wasn’t completely fit and complained of head ache. Ana Carrasco didn’t feel comfortable with braking in the corner entries. “It’s better to get everything ready for tomorrow”, Janssen explained. “I prefer Scott to be fit when the conditions are better tomorrow. Last November he was doing laps of 42.0; hopefully tomorrow he can try to get closer to that, when he is fit and the temperatures are less harsh. And for Ana we try to solve the problem with the braking for tomorrow. We’ve got some ideas about that and we want to try some other adjustments as well.”

RW Racing Press Release

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Go&Fun Honda Gresini Review Valencia Moto2 Test Day 1

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Three days after the private tests held last week at the Circuito de Almeria, Lorenzo Baldassarri was back in action today at Valencia for the first of the three official Moto2 pre-season tests. Riding the Team Gresini Moto2 Suter, the Italian was involved in an unusual crash, caused by accidental contact of his foot with the gearshift lever, after which the team decided to stop testing in the afternoon. Therefore Baldassarri, who is still committed to accumulate experience, was not given the chance to improve his time, 1'39 "475.

At the end of this week the Team Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 rider, Belgian Xavier Siméon, will remove the stitches to the wound on his chin, in order to be back in the saddle at Jerez on February 18th.

Baldassarri will ride again tomorrow for the second of the three days of testing at Ricardo Tormo circuit.

Lorenzo Baldassarri (1'39"475 - 48 LAPS)

“Unfortunately I was not able to make the most of this first day due to a fall a bit unusual: while I was at full throttle I accidentally touched the gearshift lever - which we made ​​thicker after Almeria tests, to avoid some problems with my foot - and I lost the control because of the sudden downshift. At that point, given the low temperatures and the work to be done on the bike, we preferred not to ride in the afternoon. So, my today’s lap time it's not truthful: I started the day without pushing, then I couldn’t continue and improve. Anyway, over the next two days we can carry on the good work done so far”.

Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

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Combined Session Time Valencia Moto2 Test Day 1

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1 Mika KALLIO Marc VDS Racing Team 01:36.206
2 Jordi TORRES Mapfre Aspar Team Moto2 01:36.207
3 Thomas LUTHI Interwetten Paddock Moto2 01:36.253
4 Nico TEROL Mapfre Aspar Team Moto2 01:36.459
5 Esteve RABAT Marc VDS Racing Team 01:36.522
6 Takaaki NAKAGAMI Idemitsu Honda Team Asia 01:36.768
7 Julian SIMON Italtrans Racing Team 01:36.869
8 Sam LOWES Speed Up 01:36.939
9 Maverick VIÑALES Pons HP 40 01:36.992
10 Luis SALOM Pons HP 40 01:37.053
11 Johann ZARCO Caterham Moto Racing 01:37.155
12 Alex DE ANGELIS Tasca Racing Moto2 01:37.196
13 Anthony WEST QMMF Racing Team 01:37.371
14 Marcel SCHROTTER Tech 3 01:37.413
15 Axel PONS Argiñano & Gines Racing 01:37.489
16 Gino REA AGT-Rea Racing 01:37.531
17 Sandro CORTESE Dynavolt Intact GP 01:37.738
18 Franco MORBIDELLI Italtrans Racing Team 01:37.780
19 Roman RAMOS QMMF Racing Team 01:38.002
20 Randy KRUMMENACHER Iodaracing Project 01:38.097
21 Dominique AEGERTER Technomag CarXpert 01:38.107
22 Jonas FOLGER Argiñano & Gines Racing 01:38.113
23 Josh HERRIN Caterham Moto Racing 01:38.351
24 Louis ROSSI SAG Team 01:38.431
25 Azlan SHAH Idemitsu Honda Team Asia 01:38.550
26 Robin MULHAUSER Technomag CarXpert 01:39.060
27 Hafizh SYAHRIN Petronas Raceline Malaysia 01:39.174
28 Lorenzo BALDASSARRI Gresini Moto2 01:39.475
29 Thitipong WAROKORN A.P. Honda SAG Team 01:40.452
30 Alex MARIÑELARENA Tech 3 01:41.123
31 Tetsuta NAGASHIMA Teluru Team Jir Webike 01:41.415

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Combined Session Time Valencia Moto3 Test Day 1

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1 Niccolo ANTONELLI Junior Team GO&FUN Moto3 01:40.000
2 Jack MILLER Red Bull KTM Ajo 01:40.355
3 Romano FENATI Sky Racing Team by VR46 01:40.555
4 Isaac VIÑALES Calvo Team 01:40.675
5 Danny KENT Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo 01:41.029
6 Hafiq AZMI SIC-Ajo 01:41.120
7 Francesco BAGNAIA Sky Racing Team by VR46 01:41.167
8 Enea BASTIANINI Junior Team GO&FUN Moto3 01:41.202
9 Efren VAZQUEZ Saxoprint-RTG 01:41.345
10 Miguel OLIVEIRA Mahindra Racing 01:41.452
11 Alex MARQUEZ Estrella Galicia 0,0 01:41.502
12 Karel HANIKA Red Bull KTM Ajo 01:41.526
13 Eric GRANADO Calvo Team 01:41.605
14 Arthur SISSIS Mahindra Racing 01:41.639
15 Philipp OETTL Interwetten Paddock Moto3 01:41.702
16 Livio LOI Marc VDS Racing Team 01:41.788
17 Alex RINS Estrella Galicia 0,0 01:41.815
18 Luca GRUNWALD Kiefer Racing 01:41.832
19 Jakub KORNFEIL Calvo Team 01:41.876
20 Matteo FERRARI San Carlo Team Italia 01:41.983
21 Brad BINDER Ambrogio Racing 01:42.030
22 Niklas AJO Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo 01:42.169
23 Juanfran GUEVARA Mapfre Aspar Team Moto3 01:42.242
24 Ana CARRASCO RW Racing GP 01:42.610
25 Gabriel RAMOS Kiefer Racing 01:42.720
26 Alexis MASBOU Ongetta-Rivacold 01:43.040
27 Jules DANILO Ambrogio Racing 01:43.283
28 Scott DEROUE RW Racing GP 01:43.355
29 Andrea LOCATELLI San Carlo Team Italia 01:43.955
30 John McPHEE Saxoprint-RTG 01:44.031
31 Zulfahmi KHAIRUDDIN Ongetta-AirAsia 01:49.320

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Repsol Honda Team Review Valencia MotoGP Test Day 3

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MotoGP in 2013 has come to an end with World Champion Marc Marquez the fastest on the final day in Valencia. Marc’s lap time of 1'30.287, taken on lap 54 of 56, is just 0.05s off his record breaking pole position lap from last weekend (1'30.237). Teammate Dani Pedrosa was 4th on this final day’s testing with a time of 1'30.992 on lap 32 of 70.

It was a productive final day for the Repsol Honda riders and the HRC technicians will now collate all the data to take back to Japan. There is now an enforced Winter test period ban, and the bikes will next be back on track in Sepang on 4th February 2014.

Marc Marquez

“I am very happy with how the day went and thanks to all my team for their hard work! We continued our testing and today we focused on just the one bike: the prototype with which we felt best yesterday. We tried out different electronic configurations and various setups, and we are pretty satisfied with the results. The most important thing is that we have gathered a lot of data during these two days, so that Honda will be able to work over the winter and give us some updates at the next test in Malaysia”

Dani Pedrosa 

“Today we were lucky with the weather, because it seemed as if it was going to rain but eventually it stayed dry. That allowed us to put in more laps and continue analysing the new bike, making a few changes. Yesterday we got a big head start with our workload for this test, so today we didn't try so many new things. We simply carried on adapting as well as possible to the bike. In any case, we are happy with what we have done and now it’s time for us and the whole team - who I thank for all their work in 2013 - to rest!”

Repsol Honda Team Press Release

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LCR Honda Review Valencia MotoGP Test

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2014 pre-season testing commenced on Monday afternoon at Ricardo Tormo race track with some riders swapping machinery, many tweaking set-ups and some joining new teams. Ideal conditions for most of the 3-day testing session gave LCR racer Stefan Bradl vital time on track to evaluate his Honda from this season completing 154 laps throughout the post-GP testing (4th overall). The premier class finale run out at the Spanish circuit today saw the 23-year-old taking the 4.005km track aboard the new Honda prototype in preparation for the 2014. 

Free Practice 01: Bradl 3rd 1’31.751 

Free Practice 02: Bradl 4th 1’30.990 

Free Practice 03: Bradl 3rd 1’30.868 

Stefan Bradl: 

“The result of these three days of work is quite good for me. We tested a lot of parts which allowed me to go faster including the new swingarm from Honda. Then we tested new parts from Öhlins and new electronic maps but it takes time to get the references and to gather the data. The most exciting part of this testing session was the new Honda prototype which I rode today. I could feel the difference in the engine power and the chassis configuration but it’s not that big and I had fun lapping on the new machine. At the end I can say I have a positive impression about the new bike...”

LCR Honda Press Release

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Power Electronics Aspar Review Valencia MotoGP Test Day 3

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The final day of post-season MotoGP tests at Valencia took place today and after the threat of showers this morning the clouds held off to allow for a productive outing from the time the track opened at 10am until its closure at 5pm. Marc Márquez was again the fastest rider on track, closing in on his pole time from Saturday with a lap of 1'30.287 compared to his record of 1'30.237. The teams and riders now take a well earned break before the 2014 preseason gets underway on the 4th February at Sepang, Malaysia.

After Hiroshi Aoyama spent the first day on track with the Aspar Team's Honda Production Racer, yesterday was the turn of his new team-mate Nicky Hayden and today both the Japanese and the American completed laps on the Honda RCV-1000R. Hayden rode until around 2:15pm whilst Aoyama stayed out until the track closed, both riders improving their lap times and their feel for the bike as they continued to build relationships with their respective crews.

Nicky Hayden  

“We only spent half a day on track today, which was the plan, but we made the most of the time available and took some positive steps from yesterday. We improved the lap time and I felt more comfortable on the bike but like I said yesterday this is still a very new project and we have a lot of work to do, in particular with the electronics. If we can learn how to get the best out of this area we will improve a lot further. We have gathered a lot of data over the past couple of days and we have some ideas where to go from here. It was important for me to have this opportunity to get to know the team and I leave here in positive mood.”

Hiroshi Aoyama  

“It has been a positive second day because we have made improvements, although we spent a lot of time this afternoon in the pit box working on the electronics. Our feeling after two days with this bike is positive but we clearly have a lot of work ahead. We need more time to get to know the bike and to set it up, especially in terms of the electronics but we have a two month break now until the next test and this will give the engineers an important opportunity to continue developing the bike.”

Power Electronics Aspar Press Release

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Pramac Racing Team Review Valencia MotoGP Test Day 3

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For the third day of post-season testing, the MotoGP riders and teams were greeted by a sky that was variable but mostly bleak. 

As had been the case for the previous two days, the ‘Ricardo Tormo’ circuit opened at 10:00 a.m., and Andrea Iannone left the pits at approximately 11:00, eventually finishing his day with a total of 69 laps and a best time of 1’31.594, without being particular influenced by different weather conditions. Today’s test served to try a new chassis—the one that had been used by Andrea Dovizioso during the season—as well as a different exhaust, and both gave the Italian positive feelings. Andrea and the Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team will now take advantage of a well-deserved break until the next official test, scheduled for 4-6 February 2014, at Sepang.

Yonny Hernandez on the other hand, as agreed yesterday with the team, didn’t leave the pits, preferring to rest his injured hand and return to the track for the next test at Jerez. On that occasion, the Colombian will be able to test the bike used by teammate Andrea Iannone, which will undergo the necessary adjustments required by the technical regulations for the new 'Open' category.

Andrea Iannone – Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team

“All in all, these three days went well. I’ve been much more consistent with used tyres compared to a normal race weekend; in fact, I was able to do my best time with a 12-lap-old one, and that’s good. As I said yesterday, today I tried the frame used by Dovi during the season, and it's a bit better. It allowed me to have more feeling entering the corner, I could push harder when on the brakes, and as a result I was able to corner a bit faster. Now let's see what we’ll be able to test at Sepang, but at the moment I'm happy about Gigi’s arrival; even if he’s only just arrived, he seems to be a very positive person. Now I'll have some rest ahead of next season and wait for Sepang.”

Pramac Racing Team Press Release

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Go&Fun Honda Gresini Review Valencia MotoGP Test Day 3

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Alvaro Bautista took the opportunity on the final day of post-season testing at Valencia to evaluate Honda's 2014 prototype, although his track time with the new machine was limited due to a crash at the start of his second run. After that setback the Spaniard went back to the 2013 version to concentrate on developing a new suspension package brought to the test by Showa, completing 58 laps as the team signed off until preseason testing gets underway at Sepang in February 2014.

Alvaro Bautista

“We were supposed to spend the whole day working on the 2014 bike but unfortunately on my second run I lost the front without warning and crashed. From that point we decided to get back out on the old bike and do some more work with the new front forks and rear shock that we already started yesterday. We found some positive things in corner entry but the feeling was worse on the exit so we need to keep working. We will have a lot of work to do at Sepang if we want to be competitive for the start of the new season.”

Fausto Gresini 

“Alvaro was hoping for a longer test on the 2014 machine but the crash meant that he had to revert his focus to suspension tests. There has been some positive progress but the work will continue when we get our 2014 test programme started at Sepang. ”

Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release

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Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Review Valencia MotoGP Test Day 3

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The new Monster Yamaha Tech 3 line-up of Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro enjoyed a fantastic end to 2013 today, with both producing impressive performances on the final day of MotoGP testing at the Ricardo Tormo track action in Valencia.

British rider Smith delivered the standout performance of the day by clocking a best time of 1.30.598 to finish second fastest behind new World Champion Marc Marquez.

The 22-year-old was able to experiment with different settings on a new chassis, seat unit and fuel tank package he rode for the first time yesterday and his improved feeling in the braking zone and mid-corner was reflected on the timesheets.

Smith was only 0.311s behind Marquez in second position and today’s superb display sent him into the winter break full of confidence and optimism for when the 2014 pre-season preparations resume at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia next February.

Espargaro’s magnificent first test on board the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 package ended brilliantly for the Spaniard, who was able finish inside the top six with a fastest pace of 1.31.533.

The new Moto2 World Champion was less than a second behind Smith and delighted with his progress, as he quickly adapted to the YZR-M1 and his new crew over the three-day test.

Espargaro continued to build up his knowledge of Bridgestone tyres and the vast array of electronic rider aids available. 

Bradley Smith

“Today was very positive and it is a great boost to go into the winter break being so far up the timesheets. I didn’t expect to be as fast as I was and to be so close to Marc is very positive. The new parts Yamaha gave me yesterday have really been a massive improvement and it has given me a lot of confidence that this package will help me be much stronger and more competitive in 2014. The bike just feels better balanced and although it was a one-off lap on a low fuel load, it gives me a great platform to take into next year. All we did today was play around with the settings on the new bike to see what happened when we made certain changes and I can’t find anything negative in the upgrades, so I am very grateful to Yamaha for supplying them to me. I have to be going this fast though because Pol is looking very strong and it is impressive to see him so fast so soon. It looks like we will be pushing each other a lot next season and that’s positive for Yamaha and Tech 3.”

Pol Espargaro

“It has been an emotional and very positive first test for me and honestly things went better than I expected. Our main aim at the moment is to make me feel comfortable and understand the bike and that’s what we have done again today. I steadily improved my lap time compared to yesterday and this is what we are looking for. Today we started to change a few electronic settings to give me an idea about how the bike behaves with more or less traction control or engine braking. I’m still trying to adjust my riding style to MotoGP but I think it will still take me a lot of time, as I did not even complete 150 laps. The positive thing is that we already know many areas where we can improve in and this makes me very excited for the next season. My first experience of the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team has been incredible and I am really excited to work closely with my crew next season to have a good start to my MotoGP career. I’m really looking forward to going to Sepang in February and experience this fantastic bike on another track.”

Monster Yamaha Tech3 Press Release

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NGM Mobile Forward Racing Review Valencia MotoGP Test Day 2

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After a first day in the pits working on the Yamaha– FTR Colin Edward and Aleix Espargaro have finally tested the Yamaha – FTRearly this morning.

The Spanish rider was the first one to exit with thebike at 11am this morning to do the first test of the bike, he completed 18 laps and gave his first impressions of the bike. Espargaro is very happy with this first outing with the bike, he says the bike has exceeded his expectations at this early stage of its development.

Colin Edwards was able to complete 34 laps of to test the Yamaha – FTR. The American rider is happy to be back on a bike with a Yamaha engine and is very positive in his first impressions of the collaboration between Yamaha and FTR. Edwards and the team know that there is a lot of work to be done before the first race of the season in Qatar but look forward to the winter testing period.   

Colin Edwards

“I am happy to be back on a Yamaha, it feels good,the bike is good. We are still building the bike with FTR, we have some initial comments from today: seating position, handlebar position these are some of the things that when you are building a bike you have to work on but feeling pretty good about it. The geometry of the bikes feels good, maybe a couple of tweaks here and there but I am happy with it. I definitely had issues with the electronics today, it is something that we spent all this year developing and didn’t get to use, you might ask yourself why. Obviously with Yamaha we have to take it one step at a time and they have a program that they want to put in,get some initial feedback into it, they know the bikes works good on that program, so we had to run that. I’m looking forward to getting back on the bike and keep testing.”

AleixEspargaro

“I am happy; I did not expect the bike to be this good right from the start.  I just did 17 laps today because we only have one bike and Colin used it in the afternoon, I will continue working tomorrow. The first impression is really good, the bike is working well, FTR did a really good job in just four weeks time so I am really happy. We have a lot to do in terms of the electronics and in other little things but it being the first day today out on the bike. To be the first day, I was able to push a few laps and it means we are doing things well.”

NGM Mobile Forward Racing Press Release

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