November 12, 2014- The sun re-emerged today in Valencia, after rain almost completely wrecked testing yesterday. After the track had dried out, the riders finally took to the circuit around 12pm local time, with Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa looking to complete a busy test schedule.
It was Marc’s first outing on the updated 2015 prototype (since Brno test) and it proved very valuable for the HRC engineers. Marc reported positively on some areas, including the chassis front end, but admitted the engine braking, exit of corner and also rear of the chassis still needs work. His fastest time of 1’30.973 (just 0.130 off Rossi’s pole time on Saturday) on lap 58 of 68 (aboard the 2014 machine) placed him fastest on this final day.
Dani, who spent a few laps on the new machine on Monday, continued his test programme today and commented on the more powerful Honda engine. He also confessed the new 2015 RC213V needs some fine tuning before the lights go out in Qatar at the end of March. His time of 1’31.119 (lap 23/57) – on the 2015 prototype – put him in second place behind his teammate.
This is the final MotoGP test before the Winter testing ban kicks in at the end of November. The next time Marc and Dani will be on track will be in Malaysia in February 2015.
Team Quotes
1st – 1’30.973 (68 laps)
“Today went well because we were able to gather a lot of data. We tried out both bikes: this year’s and the 2015 machine. The new prototype has more potential in some aspects but, as is normal, I felt better with the 2014 bike – with which I set my fastest time. It’s true that in one day we have not had too much time to work on setting up the new prototype, but I think that it has potential and that this test has been important for Honda because of the information obtained. The HRC engineers have also found out which way to go this Winter to try to improve for the test in Malaysia, which takes place in February. Thanks to all my team and to all the fans for an unforgettable 2014!”
DANI PEDROSA: 2nd – 1’31.119 (57 laps)
“Today testing was a lot more productive. The weather allowed us to set better times and we were able to put in a lot of laps to try out things with the new engine and new bike. Overall the test has been positive and the job of all our colleagues in HRC this Winter will be very important. The technicians here in Valencia have gathered a lot of data to take back to Japan and I’m sure we’ll see a big development when we’re back on track in Sepang next year.”
Valencia Post Race Test
Pos. Rider Num. Nation Team Constructor Time/Gap
1 Marc Marquez 93 ESP Repsol Honda Team HONDA 1’30.973
2 Dani Pedrosa 26 ESP Repsol Honda Team HONDA 1’31.119
3 Jorge Lorenzo 99 ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP YAMAHA 1’31.164
4 Pol Espargaro 44 ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YAMAHA 1’31.288
5 Valentino Rossi 46 ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP YAMAHA 1’31.301
6 Bradley Smith 38 GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YAMAHA 1’31.365
7 Danilo Petrucci 9 ITA Pramac Racing DUCATI 1’31.665
8 Cal Crutchlow 35 GBR CWM LCR Honda HONDA 1’31.774
9 Yonny Hernandez 68 COL Energy T.I. Pramac Racing DUCATI 1’31.914
10 Aleix Espargaro 41 ESP Team Suzuki MotoGP SUZUKI 1’31.973
11 Hector Barbera 8 ESP Avintia Racing MotoGP DUCATI 1’32.007
12 Michele Pirro 51 ITA Ducati Test Team DUCATI 1’32.113
13 Nicky Hayden 69 USA Drive M7 Aspar HONDA 1’32.173
14 Scott Redding 45 GBR Team Estrella Galicia Marc VDS HONDA 1’32.621
15 Stefan Bradl 6 GER NGM Mobile Forward Racing YAMAHA 1’32.784
16 Alvaro Bautista 19 ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini APRILIA 1’32.810
17 Mike Di Meglio 63 FRA Avintia Racing MotoGP DUCATI 1’32.922
18 Maverick Vinales 25 ESP Team Suzuki MotoGP SUZUKI 1’33.216
19 Loris Baz 76 FRA NGM Mobile Forward Racing YAMAHA 1’33.486
20 Eugene Laverty 50 IRL Drive M7 Aspar HONDA 1”33.509
21 Jack Miller 43 AUS CWM LCR Honda HONDA 1’33.746
22 Marco Melandri 33 ITA Factory Aprilia Gresini APRILIA 1’34.336
From: Repsol Honda Team
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