During the official MotoGP test in Jerez, Joan Mir surprised by opting for a new and mysterious ‘concept’ from Honda, instead of testing Stefan Bradl’s latest bike, after an unsatisfactory experience with it in a private test in Catalonia. Although the new ‘concept’ did not offer any visible changes compared to its standard machine, it is speculated that an engine revision was the main change for this new concept. Despite his modest position on the timesheets, Mir described the day as much more positive than he let on. He believes the new concept is the right direction for the future, especially given the crucial improvement in the RCV’s turning weakness. The 2020 world champion stressed that there is still plenty of room for improvement, but warned that improving cornering comes at the cost of performance in other areas. He emphasized that this concept is more focused on the future than the present. Meanwhile, his Repsol teammate Luca Marini reportedly tested one of Bradl’s new chassis, along with his standard spoiler, for 72 laps. Although he finished 23rd in the times, Marini expressed optimism about the progress made. Marini stressed that while there is still a lot of work to be done, Honda is committed to moving forward and improving its bikes. This test provided important progress for the future, despite the recognition that they are still far from achieving their goals. In short, the test in Jerez revealed important insights for Joan Mir and Luca Marini, highlighting Honda’s constant search for improvements and commitment to developing its machines. With these promising developments, the Repsol team is expected to achieve even better results in the upcoming races of the season.
Marco Bezzecchi mentions Valentino Rossi assistance at Jerez
At the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, Marco Bezzecchi shone as he took a place on the podium, and during a post-race interview he made a point of enlisting the help and support of legendary rider Valentino Rossi and team owner, to highlight. . Bezzecchi expressed his gratitude for Rossi’s presence and emphasized that the nine-time world champion’s advice and guidance was invaluable. He acknowledged that Rossi played a crucial role at the start and provided valuable guidance that contributed to his strong performance during the race. Furthermore, Bezzecchi acknowledged the continuous efforts of his team, highlighting the hard work and dedication of the mechanics that contributed to the success of the race weekend in Jerez. He praised his team for their excellent work since the start of the season until now and emphasized the importance of teamwork to achieve positive results. The Italian rider also spoke about the challenges he faced on the road, especially during his adaptation to the new bike. He admitted it was a difficult process to get used to the new machine, especially due to a lack of confidence on the front of the bike. However, Bezzecchi showed determination and perseverance and constantly tried to improve and overcome the obstacles that came his way. His determination was rewarded with a podium finish in Jerez, an important moment in his MotoGP journey. While emphasizing Rossi’s assistance and his team’s hard work, Bezzecchi stressed the importance of support and cooperation within the team. He admitted that success in MotoGP is the result of a joint effort, involving not only the rider, but also the technical team and support of the team owners. Bezzecchi’s performance in Jerez represents a milestone in his MotoGP career, highlighting his skill and determination to compete at the highest level of motorsport. With the continued support of his team and valuable advice from Rossi, Bezzecchi is confident in his ability to achieve further success and continue to impress on the track throughout the season.
Precise’ Marc Marquez tries thumb brake during Monday test
Ducati team rider Marc Marquez continues his journey of adaptation to his new bike, exploring details and adjustments during the MotoGP test in Jerez on Monday. One of the new features tested by Marquez was the use of a thumb brake on the left handlebar, a first for the Spanish driver. Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi emphasized the importance of this component for the Ducati riding style, especially in the acceleration phase to control the bike. Tardozzi emphasized that they provided Marquez with detailed data to help him understand why and how best to use the bike when accelerating. This change represents an ongoing effort to customize the bike’s setup to Marquez’s preferences and needs. After achieving his first podium with Ducati at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, Marquez took advantage of the test in Jerez to continue his search for improvements and familiarization with the bike. He was also given the task of “trying some things for Ducati”, showing his importance and influence on the development of the team. With four race weekends now completed, Marquez felt a clear evolution in his feedback on the changes to the bike, compared to the early stages of adaptation during pre-season. He described his feedback as more accurate, indicating a greater understanding of the bike and his own needs as a rider. Marquez expressed satisfaction with the progress made during the test in Jerez, highlighting the confidence he felt from the start of the day. He praised its accuracy in providing detailed feedback on changes made to the bike, emphasizing the importance of this information for future development. Despite setting the fifth fastest time in the test, Marquez expressed optimism about his progress and ability to find an ideal balance between the bike and his riding style. He acknowledged that there are still challenges ahead, but he is confident in his ability to overcome them and continue to improve throughout the season. The test in Jerez provided a valuable opportunity for Marquez and the Ducati team to explore new possibilities and adjustments, aiming to further improve the bike’s performance and strengthen the partnership between rider and team. With each test and race, Marquez gets closer and closer to reaching his maximum potential in the premier class of world motorcycle racing.
2024 MotoGP Test Jerez, Spain – Results
The official 2024 MotoGP test in Jerez, Spain provided an exciting day of action on track, with Fabio Di Giannantonio topping the timesheets aboard his VR46 Ducati. After an emotional Spanish Grand Prix, the drivers returned to the track to test their machines and make important adjustments before the next races. Di Giannantonio surprised everyone by setting the fastest time of the day, clocking an impressive 1m36.405s. His consistency and skill throughout the test saw him top the timesheets from 1pm until the end of the day. Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Vinales also demonstrated his speed by finishing just 0.087s behind di Giannantonio in the final minutes of the test. His performance shows the competitive potential of the Aprilia team for the season. Pramac Ducati’s Franco Morbidelli made an impressive recovery and took second place in the final moment of the test. After missing the entire pre-season due to a practice accident, Morbidelli showed his determination by completing more than 80 laps and securing a prominent position. The drivers who dominated the Spanish Grand Prix, Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, came in fourth and fifth respectively. Meanwhile, Brad Binder was the best representative for Red Bull KTM, finishing in sixth place. High point for Honda, who introduced a new RC213V concept during the test. Repsol Team’s Joan Mir praised the improvements in cornering ability provided by the new concept, indicating a promising direction for the team’s future development. Yamaha focused its efforts on a new aerodynamic package and chassis, with Alex Rins leading the M1 team in 14th place. Meanwhile, Johann Zarco completed the most laps of the day, showing stamina and consistency as he covered more than three Jerez Grand Prix distances. The Jerez test provided valuable insights for teams and riders, providing an important opportunity to refine bike settings and carry out important tests ahead of the upcoming races. With the French Grand Prix at Le Mans approaching, the riders are keen to put into practice what they learned during the test and look for success in the next stages of the 2024 MotoGP Championship.
Big changes but no breakthrough for Yamaha at Jerez MotoGP test
Yamaha carried out a significant MotoGP test at Jerez, bringing major changes to its bike. However, despite the impressive visual impact, the performance gains were modest. The team introduced a new aerodynamic package, which caught the eye with its three front wings and a KTM/Ducati-esque side fender style. Unfortunately, opinions from drivers Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins were mixed about the new aerodynamic package. Quartararo described the performance as ‘neutral’, while Rins expected a bigger difference in performance due to the spectacular visuals, but ended up with only a modest improvement of around half a tenth. In addition to the aerodynamic package, Yamaha has also introduced a new chassis, with the aim of improving the bike’s turning ability. Once again the riders’ opinions were mixed, with Quartararo feeling a slight improvement while Rins was unimpressed. Despite the significant changes, the performance gains were not reflected in the timer. Both the new aerodynamic package and chassis offered modest improvements, but not the breakthrough the team had hoped for. However, the Yamaha team is determined to continue working to improve the bike’s performance. After the test in Jerez, they plan to carry out further private tests in Mugello, where they will be able to evaluate things again on another track. If results are consistent and drivers are satisfied, the team plans to introduce the updates during the Barcelona or Mugello GP. For Fabio Quartararo, it is crucial to regain the feeling of 2022, when he performed much faster in Jerez. He is looking at all his options to find the ideal setup that will bring him back to the success he experienced in the past. In short, while the changes Yamaha made in the Jerez test were significant, there wasn’t the expected progress in terms of performance. However, the team is determined to continue working to improve the bike and find the ideal setup that will take them back to success in future races.
