We know that following the dispute between Yamaha and Ducati regarding the non-complete release of Jorge Lorenzo, the Borgo Panigale firm did not authorize Iwata's men to participate in the test organized on November 23 and 24 on the track rented by it in Jerez.
As a result, Yamaha organized its own tests at Sepang, on the same date. Valentino Rossi will obviously be there, as leader of the Yamaha troops, accompanied by a Maverick Vinales then just recently integrated into the official team with three tuning forks.
But, exceptionally, the Japanese manufacturer also wanted the Monster Yamaha Tech3 team to be present there with Johann zarco, and he will therefore be there, in the company of Jonas Folger, Hervé Poncharal having insisted on certain fairness between his two pilots, on an official 1 Yamaha M2016 repainted in black and green.
The two riders of the French team will take the track alternately for two-hour sessions, starting with Johann Zarco on the first day and Jonas Folger on the second, each on their own motorcycle. This will give them time to debrief and reflect while we prepare the bike for the next session.
Note that if, from the Valencia test, John Zarco should feature leather in Tech3 colors, Jonas Folger will still ride with a completely neutral combination, for reasons of contract linking it to an energy drink manufacturer.
We will of course try to get feedback after the tests in Valencia and Sepang.
Photo credit : MotoGP.com
