The first official Moto2 and Moto3 tests began this morning on the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, for a duration of 3 days.
From the first morning session of Moto2, we were able to note that, unlike Monday during the KTM private tests, the Andalusian track seemed very fast since in their 6th lap, Alex Marquez (Kalex, EG 0,0 Marc VDS) and Brad Binder (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo) achieved a time of 1'42.0, compared to the official record held by Lorenzo Baldassarri in 1'41.890 (with the Honda engine) or at 1'41.827 obtained by Lucas Marini (Kalex, Sky VR46 Racing Team) during last week's private tests with the Triumph engine.
Despite a slight fresh wind, the conditions seemed perfect to undermine its credentials between now and Friday, whether thanks to the weather which promises to be mild over the 3 days, new cycle parts in full development, or a recently resurfaced on a large part of the circuit.
And this was indeed the case since the second Moto2 session saw no less than 8 riders improve the best times ever achieved on the Andalusian track, Luca marini (Kalex, SKY Racing Team VR46) improving his own record in 1'41.146 (a gain of 7 tenths!) followed by Sam Lowes (Kalex, Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), Brad Binder (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), Alex Marquez (Kalex, Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS), Jorge Navarro (Speed Up, +Ego Speed Up), Marcel Schrötter (Kalex, Dynavolt Intact GP), Iker Lecuona (KTM, American Racing KTM) and Remy gardner (Kalex, Onebox TKKR SAG Team).
During the 3rd session, Iker Lecuona (KTM, American Racing KTM) significantly improved his time and carried the Austrian torch high by climbing into second position, while Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex, Flex-Box Pons HP 40) and Tom Luthi (Kalex, Dynavolt Intact GP) entered the Top10.
George Martin, 11th, is the best Rookie, just ahead Enea Bastianini.
Sam Lowes (Federal oil Gresini), Jake Dixon (Angel Nieto Team Moto2), Joe Roberts (American Racing KTM) and Marco Bezzecchi (Red Bull KTM Tech3) fell, twice for the latter.
On the technical side, a new framework is gradually distilled at KTM in order to reduce the chattering problems encountered during the November tests, and it seems quite effective since Iker Lecuona (2e) and Brad Binder (4th) are equipped with them.
At Kalex, we are working on aerodynamics, as evidenced by the version tested by Xavi Virgo (Kalex, Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS).
On the side of @TeamEG00MarcVDS, we are working on the fairings of the Kalex. Fork head a little wider for that of @XaviVierge. #JerezTest pic.twitter.com/x0qMfJz43U
— Thomas Morsellino (@Off_Bikes) February 20, 2019
3 new sessions are scheduled tomorrow: how far will we go with this Triumph engine and this new electronics (see our complete file here) ?
Combined ranking Moto2 Test Jerez J1:
