MotoGP 2019, Valencia J.2 Tests: Bagnaia already well into the mix!

The first two days of the off-season which have just passed in Valencia have put into the big pool the beginners who will make their first campaign in MotoGP in 2019. Most have not lost their footing, some have kept their heads above water, but there is one who already swims very well, and very quickly. He is the reigning Moto2 World Champion Pecco Bagnaia who didn't take long to understand how a Ducati works. He finished first among the rookies after this first contact. But above all he finished eleventh, a little more than six tenths behind the leading man, Maveick Vinales !

This is promising and has not escaped observers. Especially those from Ducati, already delighted to have got their hands on this promising young rider. The latter comments: “ These were two important days. The first contact with the Ducati was impressive and I must say that I immediately felt at ease with the whole team. We have made great progress and in Jerez we will work to continue improving ».

The first indications are therefore positive, but the driver of the Alma Pramac team knows that the road is still long: “ I certainly wouldn't expect to be less than a second behind the leader after a first test. Nine tenths first and six then... I really like the feeling I can have with this bike, because I don't find any negative points compared to Moto2. Everything seems better to me. We worked a lot on braking and handling the bike. We found positive things, I was very happy. We also tried to attack the time, and it went well. We still have a lot to learn, but I am happy and satisfied for the team and the bike ».

Pecco has exceeded expectations and can feel happy with his debut. Now he must continue to work and he already knows where he must intervene: “ what I like most is the speed. But above all I need to improve on braking. I have to learn how to handle the brakes well. The tires ? Some lose a lot of their grip when worn, and others remain constant. However, I didn't feel the drop I expected between new and worn ».

MotoGP 2019, Valencia J.2 Tests: times.

1 VIÑALES, Maverick Yamaha Factory Racing 1:30.757 50 / 57
2 DOVIZIOSO, Andrea Ducati Team 1:30.890 0.133 0.133 39 / 57
3 MARQUEZ, Marc Repsol Honda Team 1:30.911 0.154 0.021 39 / 53
4 MILLER, Jack Alma Pramac Racing 1:30.939 0.182 0.028 63 / 66
5 PETRUCCI, Danilo Ducati Team 1:30.959 0.202 0.020 57 / 60
6 MORBIDELLI, Franco Petronas Yamaha SRT 1:30.974 0.217 0.015 44 / 58
7 RINS, Alex Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1:31.254 0.497 0.280 65 / 69
8 NAKAGAMI, Takaaki LCR Honda IDEMITSU 1:31.304 0.547 0.050 68 / 70
9 ROSSI, Valentino Yamaha Factory Racing 1:31.371 0.614 0.067 38 / 63
10 ESPARGARO, Aleix Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1:31.400 0.643 0.029 37 / 55
11 BAGNAIA, Francesco Alma Pramac Racing 1:31.405 0.648 0.005 44 / 49
12 LORENZO, Jorge Repsol Honda Team 1:31.584 0.827 0.179 40 / 46
13 ESPARGARO, Pol Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1:31.628 0.871 0.044 45 / 47
14 MIR, Joan Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1:31.714 0.957 0.086 42 / 56
15 RABAT, Tito Reale Avintia Racing 1:31.940 1.183 0.226 49 / 59
16 QUARTARARO, Fabio Petronas Yamaha SRT 1:32.091 1.334 0.151 61 / 63
17 IANNONE, Andrea Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1:32.124 1.367 0.033 31 / 32
18 FOLGER, Jonas Yamaha Test Team 1:32.265 1.508 0.141 29 / 47
19 PIRRO, Michele Ducati Team 1:32.376 1.619 0.111 10 / 14
20 ZARCO, Johann Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1:32.509 1.752 0.133 38 / 50
21 ABRAHAM, Karel Reale Avintia Racing 1:32.906 2.149 0.397 35 / 52
22 SYAHRIN, Hafizh KTM Tech 3 Racing 1:33.008 2.251 0.102 31 / 43
23 SMITH, Bradley Aprilia Racing Test Team 1:33.028 2.271 0.020 49 / 58
24 OLIVEIRA, Miguel KTM Tech 3 Racing 1:33.798 3.041 0.770 45 / 46
NC BRADL, Stefan LCR Honda