After finishing second in the Moto2 world championship in 2017 with Tom Lüthi (behind Franco Morbidelli), having previously finished World Champion in 500 with Alex Criville, Gilles Bigot began working with his new 2019 rider, Xavi Verge, during the tests last November in Jerez.
At the end of these three days of driving, the 21-year-old from Barcelona and author of 59 Grands Prix ranked tenth in 1'42.305, 0.781 behind the best time of Luca marini. Virginie, who took the second step of the podium in Argentina last year (and third in Japan in 2017), then returned with Gilles Bigot and the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS team to Jerez for three days of tests in February. The position was worse since he finished sixteenth, but the time was better because he was only 0.643 behind the leader Brad Binder and his KTM.
For the third test session, in Qatar, the progress was even clearer with sixth place, 0.441 behind leader Sam Lowes (Kalex, Federal Oil Gresini Moto2).
Gilles, what is your assessment of these test sessions?
“It’s quite exciting because we’re in the new era. In the immediate future we must avoid jumping to conclusions too quickly, there are still many things to understand and discover. Will we find ourselves stuck quickly or will we still find a little more performance, that's the question ».
There were 8 Kalexes and 1 Speed Up in the top nine in Qatar. On the other hand, Brad Binder finished first in Jerez on a KTM. Do some machines fit some circuits so well (and others so poorly)?
“In Jerez, Brad Binder had two motorcycles at his disposal over a period of 5 days. This could have made the difference and above all he is very fast in Jerez. For my part I would not draw conclusions too soon. KTM won last year, Speed UP and Kalex too so they are good bikes ».
Sam Lowes' Kalex was 0.007 behind Binder's KTM at Jerez. Can we consider the Kalex more versatile?
“Difficult to answer, everything is still too new ».
This year we are inaugurating the Triumph engine in Moto2. What is your general impression?
“The engine has more torque and takes less revs. Reliable for the moment, we will then have to see over time with the GP weekend where the drivers will certainly be more aggressive and this could have an impact on the use of the engine and the gearbox. The Moto2 times from previous years will be improved, it's a success... without forgetting the sound of the three cylinders! »
Did you have enough time to tune up the bikes before the first Grand Prix?
“It's not an easy answer to give because everything remains new for the drivers and technical teams. It's a slow progression, the feeling is that we haven't yet extracted the maximum from the bike/rider combination. To illustrate my point, the lifespan of the medium rear tire (identical to the 2018 tire) here in Qatar is very good even beyond what is necessary for the distance of the race, the hard tire used last year for the race is too hard, so there is still learning to try to go faster.”
Does the Triumph engine favor a particular riding style (like that of Sam Lowes, according to the times)?
“It’s certain that you have to find the “right style”. Sam seems to be the one who at the moment seems to have the best approach. In a few GPs we may see a trend emerge.”
Are the available electronics sufficient?
“For the moment yes, all the riders have not yet identified the advantage of electronics because they may still be too familiar with Moto2 riding with the Honda engine. The Triumph engine requires a certain finesse with the throttle and if the rider does not yet have this finesse, the electronics do not provide anything. This is what works in MotoGP but the difference in power in a MotoGP is more than double, so the rider understands more quickly that he has to change.
“It’s a bit like the 2t era with reed valve engines and rotating disc engines. Depending on the range of engine speed and the flexibility of the engine, the pilot can easily use wider trajectories, do more meters, but he does not realize it because he feels the response of the engine so it helps him. seems normal and it will continue to drive in the same way by forcing more, but the efficiency is not there.
Who will win the Qatar GP?
“Immediately, following the IRTA tests, Sam Lowes favorite part, his race simulation was very good. Alex Marquez did a good simulation as well and wasn't far behind. Tom Luthi has pace and he likes the Losail circuit. At the end of Friday's tests, other names will perhaps appear.
Photos © Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS and motogp.com
