Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team riders Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso finished first and second at the end of a successful one-day MotoGP test session at the Brno circuit yesterday.
Less than 24 hours after claiming a stunning debut MotoGP podium in the bwin Grand Prix Ceske Republiky, Crutchlow was back in the groove immediately and managed to assess a range of different YZR-M1 settings in the 47 laps he completed. The British rider carried out the majority of his laps on worn Bridgestone tires and he was still able to set a fast and consistent pace throughout, his best time of 1.56.461 putting him at the top of the timesheets by 0.117s ahead of teammate Andrea Dovizioso.
According to Crutchlow, “It was a good test and I was really pleased with my times. We did the whole morning and the first run of the afternoon on the same rear tire and it was an old one from qualifying on Saturday. I did a 56.9 on it, which is basically as fast as my race pace and it had 44 laps on it. We tried some different settings but the only problem I have with this bike now is we make some big changes but the lap time is the same, so you never know which direction to go in. In practice for the race on Friday I struggled with the hard tire but today I tested it again and I was lot faster and consistent as well, so that was a big positive. We can leave Brno really happy because it has been a great weekend. I signed a new contract with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team, got my best grid position, scored my first ever MotoGP podium and then set the fastest time at the test today. We can go to Misano in a positive frame of mind and I’m confident we will be challenging close to the front again.”
Fourth in Sunday’s 22-lap race, Dovizioso also tried different set-up options and his prime focus was on improving mid-corner speed with his YZR-M1 machine. The Italian set a best time of 1.56.578 and with his test schedule complete ahead of the 1pm lunch break, Dovizioso didn’t return to the track for the afternoon session. He is now looking forward to a short break before returning to action for his all-important home race at the Misano track on September 16.
Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo rounded out the top three on the day and spent the test sessions giving the first shakedown of the 2013 YZR-M1 prototype. The team also worked to find an improvement in the suspension on the front end of the bike to allow him to brake later on the 2012 machine. Team mate Ben Spies had less to test, an the Texan spent the morning session working through different settings for the base set up of his 2012 M1 to improve general performance over the remainder of the season. Spies finished the day in 7th place overall.
Respol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa was the top Honda of the day completing the test in fourth position following his spectacular win on the race weekend. The Spaniard spent the day completing a busy testing programme covering many areas, including chatter issues and also a new rear shock. Also on track for Repsol Honda was Jonathan Rea, replacing the injured Casey Stoner. Rea used this first test to familiarise himself with the 1000cc machine and adapt to the Bridgestone tires.
The MotoGP teams will now enjoy a one-week break before moving to Aragon to test again on the 4th and 5th September.
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