MotoGP – Jerez Test Day 1 – Rain puts the Kawasakis in the lead

It was supposed to be an important day of testing, almost crucial to knowing the values ​​on the field of the next MotoGP Grands Prix. News for everyone (or almost everyone): tyres, chassis, engines. None of this was seen today in Andalusia: due to rain, wet asphalt and prohibitive conditions the teams were forced to review their program and extend their stay in Jerez by a day. Wet track and as happened in the last session of the IRTA Tests last February, Kawasaki holds the lead with Olivier Jacque and Randy De Puniet, a French double ahead of Chris Vermeulen and Kenny Roberts Jr. Behind all the big names, they dropped on the track almost reluctantly but with something to try despite the adverse weather conditions. Suzuki has brought new engine innovations to the track in view of the upcoming tests in Istanbul and Shanghai, where it will be necessary to have good cavalry to compete at the top. Yamaha also knows this well, as they have postponed until tomorrow the debut of the "B specification" of the 4cc inline 800-cylinder with those extra horsepower expressly requested by Rossi after Losail.

Tomorrow, yes, hoping for good weather because there will really be a lot of irons in the fire. From a new rear suspension for Daniel Pedrosa to chassis innovations also for Nicky Hayden, for an RC212V which is increasingly taking two different development paths (that of the Spaniard and that of the World Champion) leaving Marco Melandri astonished, even if "rumors ” they seem sincere that after Istanbul he will also benefit from an RCV very close to “Factory” standards. In the meantime, the man from Ravenna argues in front of the microphones about Honda's choices and tests the Bridgestone wet tires today, praising the Japanese technicians for their continuous technical support (after all, they have developed a "dedicated" tire for him), waiting to also test the front Qualifying, Bridgestone news scheduled for these post-GP tests.

They are also waiting for her in Ducati, with Guareschi replacing Loris Capirossi (who flew to follow his wife Ingrid in trepidation for the imminent birth of their firstborn) and Casey Stoner very active on the Andalusian track. With best wishes to Toni Elias for his 24th birthday, we'll see you tomorrow: all the MotoGP protagonists (plus Alex Debon, Aprilia tester present to put the new RSA 250 to the test) will test again on the track with many interesting technical innovations.

MotoGP Test Jerez – Monday 26 March – Times

01- Olivier Jacque – Kawasaki ZX-RR – 1'51.422 (52 laps)
02- Randy De Puniet – Kawasaki ZX-RR – 1'51.502 (59 laps)
03- Chris Vermeulen – Suzuki GSV-R XRG0 – 1'51.536 (27 laps)
04- Kenny Roberts Jr – KR212V – 1'51.827 (30 laps)
05- Casey Stoner – Ducati Desmosedici GP7 – 1'51.736 (21 laps)
06- Carlos Checa – Honda RC212V – 1'51.827 (44 laps)
07- Valentino Rossi – Yamaha YZR M1 800cc – 1'51.899 (41 laps)
08- Alex Barros – Ducati Desmosedici GP7 – 1'52.129 (36 laps)
09- Toni Elias – Honda RC212V – 1'52.198 (56 laps)
10- Shinya Nakano – Honda RC212V – 1'52.212 (53 laps)
11- Nicky Hayden – Honda RC212V – 1'52.632 (67 laps)
12- Marco Melandri – Honda RC212V – 1'52.842 (45 laps)
13- Alex Hofmann – Ducati Desmosedici GP7 – 1'52.904 (51 laps)
14- Colin Edwards – Yamaha YZR M1 800cc – 1'53.104 (36 laps)
15- Daniel Pedrosa – Honda RC212V – 1'53.240 (51 laps)
16- Sylvain Guintoli – Yamaha YZR M1 800cc – 1'55.992 (44 laps)
17- Makoto Tamada – Yamaha YZR M1 800cc – 1'57.917 (38 laps)
18- Kousuke Akiyoshi – Suzuki GSV-R XRG0 – 1'58.635 (36 laps)
19- Vittoriano Guareschi – Ducati Desmosedici GP7 – 2'00.291 (31 laps)

Alessio Piana