MotoGP

: Luis Costa; MotoGP; 21 February 2017

Aleix Espargaro praises “good overall level” of the Aprilia

Aprilia Racing Aleix Espargaro left the second Official Test of the year satisfied following three days of hard work Down Under, especially praising the long runs undertaken on his RS-GP.

With improvements from Sepang, the Spaniard also finds the Aprilia suited to his riding style – and has clear direction for the next and final pre-season test in Qatar.

Espargaro finished the test in the top ten on combined times, with a best of 1:29.361 – only 0.003 off P9 man Jack Miller (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS).

"We are leaving these tests at a good overall level. We really worked hard. Today we focused on consistent performance." Said Espargaro.

"The RS-GP did very well in race simulations but we know that there is still room for improvement on that front. Here at Phillip Island I found a bike that once again suits my riding style in braking, whereas we were able to improve in terms of grip compared with the Sepang tests."

"After talking with the others, I think that we should be able to gain something in the turns, especially the fast corners, speaking of which, we tried a few changes to the chassis architecture to see if we could find more speed in the centre of the turns." He added "In Qatar we will continue in this direction, trying both the new fairing and the evolved engine again to establish the base for the first race weekend."

: Luis Costa; MotoGP; 21 February 2017

Karel Abraham leaves Phillip Island "frustrated"

Aspar rider Karel Abraham had a frustrating end to the Phillip Island test, unable to improve on his Day 2 laptime as he comes back from a season in the World Super Bike Championship.

With good initial experiences when back on a MotoGP machine for the first time late in 2016 and at Sepang, the Czech rider impressed with a huge leap up the timesheets on Day 2 in Australia – but then found life tougher on Day 3 as setup changes seemed to wield few results. His best of 1.30.452 from the second day therefore remained his fastest effort.

"We are leaving Australia feeling a little frustrated after this final day because we were unable to improve on our lap time from yesterday, when I was able to set a bunch of low 1'30s." Said Abraham "We tried different set-up variations but I just couldn't go any faster."

"The positive part is that we managed a long run, which was good, especially the first part when I was fast and consistent." He added.

"I have spoken with the team about the next test in Qatar and we agree that it is a very specific track in terms of set-up so we will see what happens when we get there. I think I am capable of good results and I want to get back to the kind of position we were in yesterday."

: Luis Costa; MotoGP; 21 February 2017

Baz heads home happy from Phillip Island

Loris Baz left the three-day Phillip Island test satisfied, despite having a tough few days on track.

Finding some improvements and getting down to lap in the 1:29 bracket on a jampacked timesheet, Baz now feels he and the team have a clear direction – something to work on further when action continues at Losail Internationl Circuit in Qatar for the final pre-season test.

"It has been a difficult three days but today we found something. We have improved little by little to lap in the 29s and we are not so far, but I am happy because we have found the way, and it has not been easy." Said the Frenchman.

"Overall I leave Phillip Island satisfied, because we tried a lot of things and the team did a great job. My crew chief, Paolo did the right things and in the end of the day we leave with a clear direction."

"I think that I could go even faster with a new tyre at the end, so I’m happy, much more than I was until today at lunch time. He concluded

: Luis Costa; MotoGP; 21 February 2017

Bautista finds last-minute setting improvements

Alvaro Bautista had a stunning Sepang test first time out in 2017 as he continued getting to grips with his new GP16 Ducati, but the Spaniard found the Phillip Island test more of a struggle to find feeling – until turning a corner near the end of the track time.

The only rider in the top group to not improve on Day 3, Bautista’s best was a 1:29.983 set on the second day of action – putting him P11 on combined timesheets, just ahead of Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi.

"In general we have not found the best feeling over the last three days here. Today we went back to the set-up from the start of the test to compare the data we have gathered since then and the truth is we have made some steps forward to improve my confidence." Said the Spaniard

"We also had the intention of completing a long run today but on the first attempt we had a problem with the front tyre and after fifteen laps it was virtually destroyed. I had to put a fresh front tyre in, which had a longer life but I didn't have the same feeling."

It was difficult because the tyre was more aggressive and in the end the performance also dropped off with this one. At the end of the day we tried a quite different setting with the second bike and after just three laps I felt more comfortable than I have done over the last three days." He added

"We needed a little more time to work in this direction but we have gathered some data that could be useful in the future."

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