MotoGP | Back on track: dates, times and info for the next tests in Thailand

MotoGP Test Thailand – Two weeks after the Sepang tests, the MotoGP riders are ready to return to the track, next stop in Thailand, on the Buriram circuit, for the second pre-season test session.

Where were we – In Malaysia the real surprise was Jorge Lorenzo. The Spaniard closed the 3 days of testing with the best overall performance, as well as the "unofficial" record of the circuit. But the Majorcan wasn't the only surprise, in fact after the first two days on the track Yamaha was ready to uncork the sparkling wine and celebrate a newfound competitiveness after the disappointing 2017 season, but the ghost of grip problems came back to make itself felt on the last day, taking away the smiles of the riders and workers of the Iwata team. Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales seemed to have finally found a bike with great potential, but the increase in temperature brought back to the surface the problems that now seemed to have been overcome. Now the real challenge begins, Yamaha will have to be able to solve the problem without getting into confusion like last year.

As we usually say, in testing it's not just the times that count, we need to give more importance to the riders' statements and race pace, and by analyzing these two factors one name stands out, that of the current world champion, Marc Marquez. The Spaniard not only declared that he had found a bike at the top (unlike previous years in which he suffered more during the tests), but if we compare the "race" paces, even if only slightly, at the top of the ranking there is it's #93. While Marquez seems to have hidden himself, his teammate, Dani Pedrosa, and Cal Crutchlow (who, we remember, rides an official Honda), seem to have unbuttoned themselves slightly more, putting the bug in the competition's ear.

Although Lorenzo was the fastest Ducati rider, his teammate, Andrea Dovizioso, should not be underestimated. The 2017 of the Forlì native was not a bolt from the blue and, with a bike that seems to have solved a few more problems, he showed not only a great pace, but also the desire to remain in the fight for the title this year too .

From a technical point of view there have been no major upheavals. We have witnessed more of an evolution mainly dictated by Michelin's decision to leave the tire compounds and profiles practically unchanged. Almost all the teams worked a lot on weight balance and engines with smoother power delivery. We witnessed the debut of Honda's new winged fairing, very similar to the Ducati one, and the new version brought to the track by Yamaha, after the failure of the one already seen in the Valencia tests. Some ideas come from Ducati, which confirms itself to be a very interesting concentration of research and development. The frame features the same welds as the version used in 2017, but thicker. It seems that in Borgo Panigale an attempt was made to stiffen the structure more to improve cornering. Ducati's decision not to use the frame proposed for the private tests in Jerez, recognizable by the different shape of the welds, is perplexing. Will we see it in Thailand? Or was it rejected? We'll find out in a few days. Furthermore, during the next tests, the Rossa should bring the new winged fairing to the track.

Dates, times and info – The next tests will take place on the Buriram circuit in Thailand, a new track for the MotoGP. It was built in 2014 and designed by Herman Tilke. It measures 4,554 km and has 12 curves, 7 on the left and 5 on the right.

The riders will take to the track for 3 days, from 16 to 18 February. They will start at 03.30 and end at 11.30 (Italian time).

As with the Sepang tests, there will be no television coverage.

SBK has already filmed on this circuit, let's take advantage of this to discover the track with an on-board video: