|
Post by truenorth on Feb 3, 2024 8:08:47 GMT -8
Acosta ends 2024 Sepang Shakedown Test fastest The rookie sensation sets an eye-catching 1:58.189 on Day 3 as aero upgrades are put through their paces again in Malaysia The curtain has been drawn on the 2024 MotoGP™ Sepang Shakedown Test and ending the three days in Malaysia fastest was our class rookie – Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3). The Spaniard set a superb 1:58.189 on the final day to lead Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) by 0.066s, with CASTROL Honda LCR’s new recruit Johann Zarco completing the top three. Acosta dazzles Despite a couple of small crashes on the final day – one in the dry at Turn 11 and one in the wet at Turn 15 – Acosta, Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 and KTM will head into the Official Sepang Test buzzing with how the Shakedown has gone. The #31’s time would have placed him P5 in last year’s Sepang Test standings, and there are still three more days to go. Impressive. On the final day, Acosta was lapping with KTM’s carbon chassis on both of his GASGAS bikes, indicating this is the direction they’ll be heading in for the season. It will be interesting to see what new parts Acosta will test on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Malaysia, as he’s joined by teammate Augusto Fernandez and the two Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders Brad Binder and Jack Miller. And speaking of the orange squad, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pol Espargaro said in a video the team posted on social media – see below – that he feels “very good” on the bike after a winter of training sees the Test Rider come into 2024 in a much better physical condition. Espargaro also comments on how well Acosta is adapting to the bike, as the Austrian factory appear to be in a good position ahead of the Sepang Test. Aero game stepped up ahead of Sepang Test As mentioned in the previous two days of Shakedown action, the factories have ramped up the aerodynamics game in 2024. You can see KTM’s front fender wing, Aprilia’s ‘Batmobile’ rear wing, Honda’s upgraded ‘stegosaurus’ rear wing and Ducati’s additional ground effect side panel fairing updates Aprilia Racing's Lorenzo Savadori was busy prepping some 2023-spec RS-GPs as Trackhouse Racing get for their official MotoGP™ debut, with Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira ready to don their new colours on track for the first time. How did Honda and Yamaha get on? On Day 3, Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) was spotted testing a different swingarm, while Yamaha Test Rider Cal Crutchlow ventured out with a new, longer exhaust and an updated aero body. Additionally, Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) has confirmed that Honda's 2023 bike isn't in Sepang. Honda are focusing on the package they had at the Valencia Test and on a new prototype they've got. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) finished the Shakedown in P4, with Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) the second fastest HRC rider in P6 - just behind Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Test Rider Dani Pedrosa. The progress of the two Japanese factories will be closely monitored at the Sepang Test, and you'll be able to hear the first thoughts of the riders from both factories on motogp.com ahead of those three days. Attentions turn to the Official Test With the Shakedown Test now done, it’s all eyes on the Official Test as the entire class of 2024 heads to Malaysia for three days of crucial track time. We’ve already seen a handful of new, intriguing parts tested between the factories, will we see more over the upcoming three days? Time will tell.
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 3, 2024 8:33:18 GMT -8
Mat Oxley Savadori on the Aprilia today, last day of the shakedown. The RS-GP ticks every aero box
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 4, 2024 9:02:54 GMT -8
Prima Pramac Racing MotoGP The medical team has decided to postpone the evaluation for a few additional days. This delay is intended to allow for a more comprehensive understanding of his fitness and to determine his eligibility for participation in the upcoming scheduled test days. From what I've been told he was severely concussed and completely out of it.
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 4, 2024 9:07:42 GMT -8
"Btw turns 8 and 9, we see that Franco was completely unconscious, Me and Alex we stopped straight away, left the bikes in the floor and ran towards him to put him in a lateral part. We are opponents sometimes mates and we want the best for all the opponents."~marc marquez93
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 4, 2024 9:50:08 GMT -8
Johann Zarco: “I’m lucky to arrive in this moment in Honda”
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 5, 2024 9:28:36 GMT -8
Mat Oxley Marc Marquez talking about aero… “I hate that way but that’s the way it’s going… so you have to adapt.” Agrees that downforce aero reduces overtaking and the ability for riders to fight in groups
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 5, 2024 9:45:02 GMT -8
Aprilia using a diffuser
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 5, 2024 9:47:00 GMT -8
Mat Oxley Zarco tested the 2023 RC213V and the 2024 prototype at Valencia in November but wasn’t allowed to talk to us. Just asked him what was the difference between the two bikes… “At least seven tenths” was his answer, with a big grin. Honda definitely seem to be on the right track
Mat Oxley Bezzecchi took part in last week’s open superbike test at Portimao and can’t wait to start MotoGP testing tomorrow, “because after three laps a Panigale is already boring”
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 6, 2024 9:10:42 GMT -8
After Argentina, two more MotoGP rounds at risk? This week, the cancellation of the MotoGP ArgentinaGP, originally scheduled as the third round of the season in early April, was announced. Now, there are concerns about two more rounds that may not take place: Kazakhstan and India. motorcyclesports.net/after-argentina-two-more-motogp-rounds-at-risk/#
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 6, 2024 9:13:44 GMT -8
Peter McLaren GASGAS rider Augusto Fernandez confirms he will make his debut on the carbon fibre KTM chassis at this week's Sepang test, another reason why he's excited to get back on track.
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 6, 2024 9:15:48 GMT -8
Peter Bom Honda HRC have now Alex Baumgartner (designer of Kalex Moto2 bikes) in the pitbox here at the Sepang MotoGP test. According to Alex this is on a consultancy basis. Told me its"a great opportunity for him to learn more". Interesting to think who's going to learn the most here.
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 6, 2024 9:20:04 GMT -8
Mat Oxley First injury of the year - Raul Fernandez is out of this test after crashing on his fourth lap this morning & hurting hip/pelvis. He blamed “track conditions”. Apparently the kerbs were still wet from yesterday evening’s storm. He should be back for the Qatar tests
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 6, 2024 9:21:43 GMT -8
Akira Nishimura Taka said, "After the shakedown, we had a huge meeting with four riders, Stefan, and HRC engineers to exchange information and discuss things. It was the very first time since I moved up to MotoGP in 2018." Obviously, something procedure is changing inside Honda.
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 6, 2024 9:37:13 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 6, 2024 9:45:16 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 6, 2024 11:11:33 GMT -8
Martin lays down first marker of 2024 in stunning style Last year’s runner-up wasted no time getting up to speed, posting the only 1:57 of the day to be a quarter of a second clear Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin quickly left behind the pain of Valencia last year by taking the opening honours of 2024 on Day 1 of the Sepang Test. The Spaniard fired in an impressive 1:57.951 after only two hours of running this morning, which is only half a second adrift of the fastest-ever Sepang lap, and was untouched for the remainder of the day. Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Pedro Acosta continued to impress too, as the rookie all-but matched his best lap from the Sepang Shakedown to take second overall. Only 0.008 of a second behind the Moto2™ World Champion was Fabio Quartararo in third. The factory Yamaha man finished the opening day just two tenths adrift of his best lap from the 2023 Malaysian Grand Prix - promising signs for the struggling Japanese giant. It was a tough day for what many believe to be Martin’s principle title rivals in 2024: World Champion Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez. The Lenovo Ducati man crashed out at Turn 11 on his very first lap of the day, whilst Marquez had to contend with two technical issues. The #1 ended up 16th and Marquez found a late lap to finish ninth. Seven of Ducati’s eight full-time riders hit the track today as Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) continues his recovery from a training crash at Portimao. And six of those seven occupied places in the top ten on a positive opening day for the Bologna factory. For Martin, Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), work continued on their 2024 engine, which received rave reviews at the Valencia Test in late November. No sign for the moment of the wildly new aerodynamics package that Gigi Dall’Igna teased at their Official Launch. Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing’s Fabio Di Giannatonio closed out the opening day in fourth, with new teammate Marco Bezzecchi in eighth despite a late crash at Turn 4 with half an hour left on the clock. Gresini Racing’s Alex Marquez was just over half a second adrift in seventh. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing & Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 As Acosta continued to grab headlines at the sharp end of the timesheets, both Brad Binder and Jack Miller went to work for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing squad. Nobody did more laps today than Miller, who totalled a dizzying 69. The Austrian factory focussed their attentions on electronics and a new exhaust system, as well as some aerodynamic and engine updates. Aprilia & Trackhouse Racing After not bringing much to the Valencia Test, the Noale squad have been busy over the winter with new aero, engine, swingarms and chassis all on show on Tuesday. Maverick Viñales was fastest of the lot with a 1:58.470 to leave himself sixth on Day 1. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) only managed 21 laps today after a monster highside inside the opening 15 minutes of the day saw him in considerable pain. The Spaniard will head to a local hospital tonight for further checks. Monster Energy Yamaha After struggling all year with one-lap qualifying pace, Yamaha will be pleased to see Quartararo sitting third on the timesheets and Alex Rins just outside the top ten in 11th. The Iwata factory’s main focus on the opening day has been aero, as well as fine-tuning their new and improved engine. There was also a new tail unit in use. Repsol and LCR Honda There was a lot going on down at HRC on Tuesday. Brand-new swingarms, aero, engines and chassis are just the start of a totally revamped RC213V. And the early signs are positive with Johann Zarco (LCR Honda CASTROL) claiming the final spot inside the top ten.
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 6, 2024 11:57:17 GMT -8
David Emmett Franco Morbidelli will skip both the Sepang and the Qatar MotoGP tests. Very sensible after a serious concussion. But he is otherwise physically very well
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 7, 2024 8:00:40 GMT -8
Brilliant Bastianini bites back on historic day in Sepang Five riders all went under the outright lap record as the pace heated up in Malaysia Ducati Lenovo Team’s Enea Bastianini produced late brilliance on Day 2 of the Sepang Test, claiming top spot thanks to a new, unofficial, outright lap record. Five riders all bettered Pecco Bagnaia’s pole position lap from late last year, with The Beast firing in a historic 1:57.134 to once again prove that Malaysia is very much his territory of late. Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin had to settle for second in the end after leading the pack for the vast majority of the day. The Spaniard finishing 0.139 seconds adrift of the 2023 Malaysian Grand Prix winner. KTM and Aprilia were hot on the heels of the Ducati duo, with Brad Binder and Aleix Espargaro rounding out the second day in third and fourth. After an under-the-radar opening day in Sepang, the World Champion joined the party today. Bagnaia claimed the final spot inside the top five with a 1:57.469, leaving him just over three tenths behind his teammate. Ducati Lenovo Team, Prima Pramac Racing, Pertamina Enduro VR46 & Gresini Racing The riders piloting Ducati's latest-spec 2024 machine this season all found themselves under the lap record on Wednesday, with all three laps being done with the Bologna factory’s much-improved new engine. The bulk of Bagnaia, Bastianini and Martin's work was instead focussed on aerodynamics, with a united consensus yet to be reached. Another late crash for Marco Bezzecchi will have put a downer on what was otherwise another positive day for The Doctor’s squad. The #72 rounded out Day 2 in ninth place, whilst Fabio Di Giannantonio continued to impress. The Italian was one the form men in the second half of 2023, and he’s carried that momentum into 2024 despite the team switch. Nobody did more laps than Gresini Racing’s Marc Marquez, as he looked to make up for lost time yesterday. The eight-time World Champion clocked 72 in total, 10 of which were an impressive Tissot Sprint simulation alongside his brother. The #93 was just over 2 seconds quicker than the Sprint-winning time, whilst Alex Marquez was a further two seconds quicker again. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing & Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 Pedro Acosta found yet another step forward today, posting a 1:57.726 - a lap good enough for the middle of the second row of the grid in 2023. Big smiles for his side of the box but not on the other side, with Augusto Fernandez frustrated at his lack of progress. The Mallorcan finished 1.7 seconds adrift in 20th. On the orange side, Jack Miller joined Brad Binder in working their way through KTM’s various aerodynamic upgrades. The Australian finished 15th. Aprilia & Trackhouse Racing Contrasting emotions in the factory Aprilia box with Espargaro taking an impressive foirth, whilst Maverick Viñales was struggling with rear grip and, as a result, didn’t feel comfortable enough to push for a time attack. The Spaniard was 18th today, one place and one tenth ahead of a similarly frustrated Miguel Oliveira. The trio lapped together in the midday sun in order to try and find some answers to the heat issues that plagued Aprilia’s second half of 2023. Monster Energy Yamaha Electronics was the key focus for Yamaha, but Fabio Quartararo was left frustrated. The Frenchman managed to improve on his best lap from last year’s Malaysian Grand Prix but he was still three quarters of a second adrift of top spot and bemoaned his lack of pace during his time attacks. The 2021 World Champion could only manage 11th today, with his new teammate a quarter of a second further back in 13th. Repsol and LCR Honda Repsol Honda’s Luca Marini and Idemitsu LCR Honda’s Takaaki Nakagami put together the longest runs of anyone, 13 consecutive laps apiece. 10 of Marini’s laps were in the 1:59s, compared to only two 1:59s between all four Honda riders in last year’s Sprint and Grand Prix. Joan Mir was able to put in a headline laptime, taking the final spot in top ten. The 2020 World Champion was six tenths quicker than his Q1 performance last year, but reiterated that a lot of work is still to be done and that Honda are nowhere near ready to challenge at the top right now.
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 7, 2024 8:18:26 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by truenorth on Feb 7, 2024 8:33:53 GMT -8
Mat Oxley Big news: Michelin are aiming to SLIGHTLY drop the minimum front pressure for this season. Won't be a big change because they can't go far without risking tyre damage. Also, riders will test a prototype 2025 front here, designed to be less susceptible to pressure increase
|
|