MotoGP | Jerez Test Day 1: Vinales the fastest, Rossi finishes at the back

MotoGP Jerez 2019 MotoGP Test – The MotoGP class riders took to the track in Jerez for the first of two days of IRTA tests, the last of 2019.

The green flag was displayed at 10:00, but given the low temperatures the riders waited before taking to the track.

The first to leave the pit lane was Aleix Espargaro on his Aprilia, followed by KTM rookie Brad Binder.

Subsequently, Pol Espargarò (KTM), Joan Mir (Suzuki) and gradually all the others, including testers, got on the saddle. For Ducati there is Michele Pirro, for Suzuki Sylvain Guintoli and for Aprilia Bradley Smith.

Alex Marquez, unlike Valencia, is in the HRC garage and the bike is the one with the historic Honda colours. In place of Karel Abraham, fired from Team Avintia (Click here to find out more), there is Eric Granado who this year was racing for the same team but in the MotoE class.

After the lunch break there was a red flag due to a crash at turn 4 by rookie Iker Lecuona. Driver ok and taken to the medical center for tests, which ruled out any problem. Marc Marquez and Pol Espargarò also fell, also without physical consequences, even though Marquez was holding his right shoulder.

The teams continued to work on Valencia's feedback. At Ducati, both Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci (absent in Valencia, ed.) continued to test the new chassis that "Dovi" liked so much. Pirro instead continued the development work of the Desmosedici GP20.

At Yamaha, the very fast Maverick Vinales and the Team Petronas SRT duo of Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli, while Valentino Rossi continued to work especially closely with the new technical chief David Munoz.

Moving to Honda, Marc Marquez had both the 2019 and 2020 bikes at his disposal, while his brother Alex had two 123 RC2019Vs.

Joan Mir and Alex Rins are carrying out the development of the new Suzuki, which seems to have been born under a lucky star. Aprilia without any big news, to see the new RS-GP we will have to wait for the February tests in Sepang.

At KTM, Pol Espargarò continues the development of the new frame, modified in the area where both the engine and the swingarm are anchored; there is no longer the classic tube, but a solution closer to the Deltabox, much wider and more supported.

Only Jack Miller was present in Pramac, who used the 2019 bike, given that the 2020 was in Petrucci's hands. Pecco Bagnaia was absent, struggling with an injured wrist during FP3 of the Valencia GP.

Speaking of times, the fastest on Day 1 was Maverick Vinales who stopped the clock on the official Yamaha at 1:37.131.

Behind the #12 of the Iwata manufacturer we find another M1, that of Fabio Quartararo, 0.754s behind. “El Diablo” precedes the Suzukis of Joan Mir and Alex Rins, in turn ahead of Franco Morbidelli.

Marc Marquez is sixth with a time of 1:38.227 and ahead of his brand mate Cal Crutchlow and Pol Espargarò's KTM. The six-time MotoGP champion suffered a blow to his right shoulder during the fall and this slowed him down throughout the day.

Ninth, tenth and eleventh time for the Ducatis of Danilo Petrucci, Andrea Dovizioso and Jack Miller, while Valentino Rossi finished 14th, behind Andrea Iannone (Aprilia, ed.) and 1.628s off the top.

As mentioned, the "Doctor" is looking for the best setting to avoid wearing out the rear tire, the real Achilles' heel of the 2019 season. In the garage, we are also looking for maximum harmony with the new technical chief Munoz and work has been done on the swingarm in carbon.

Alex Marquez, in his second MotoGP test, finished 17th, 2.282 behind compatriot Vinales.