The Ricardo Tormo circuit concluded the 2018 MotoGP season and the same circuit opens the doors to the new year 2019 this Tuesday. first offseason tests are launched and before the verdict of the clock and the first turns of the wheels, here are the key elements of the new situation…
The first sensation is the installation of Jorge Lorenzo at Honda. Por Fuera will live the next two years alongside Marc Marquez. A duo which brings together 12 titles, 138 victories, 268 podiums and 149 pole positions. Which also means two strong egos. However, there is only one first...
Here it is 🙌
The first glimpse of the Honda RC213V with @ lorenzo99 famous number 99 on it 😮
It's going to take while to get used to this! Who's looking for to see # JL99's first lap? 💪#ValenciaTest pic.twitter.com/Qqf6bBpfKn
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 20, 2018
At Yamaha, it will be time for technical choices. A crucial stage which had been poorly negotiated in the past, plunging the official team into a crisis marked by 26 races without success. Iwata's M1s seem to be raising their heads, but it will be necessary to confirm. However, between Vinales et Red, the approaches are recognized as being different. The first city changes its environment and even its number while the second regrets having finished the 2018 vintage without a victory. Unheard of in his career, with a motorcycle struck by tuning forks.
It's not just teams and bike changes for 2019, @maverickmack25 has changed his race number! 😆
When are you changing your Twitter handle, Mav? 😉#ValenciaTest pic.twitter.com/ndmPSfZJyk
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 20, 2018
The contingent of rookies is renewed. A gang of four composed of bagnaia, Moto2 World Champion, who enters the Ducati fold through Pramac. Olive tree continues the KTM sector by integrating the new partner Tech3. fabio quartararo settles among the elite in a unique Yamaha satellite team. And Joan mir is already an official driver since he takes up residence at Suzuki.
It's a big day for 2018 # Moto2 Rookie of the Year @Joanmir36 ✊
The 2017 # Moto3 World Champion will be out on the @suzukimotogp bike today 🙌#ValenciaTest pic.twitter.com/Ilt05zv551
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 20, 2018
Andrea Iannone will debut at Aprilia. This RS-GP will thus be his third motorcycle in the space of four years. For its part, the Sepang International Circuit team regains the Yamaha satellite team status left vacant by Tech3 and its program includes two young drivers: Fabio Quartararo et Franco Morbidelli, which will have a spec-A. At its head we will find Wilco Zeelenberg. Johan Stigefelt will oversee all projects while Diego Gubellini et Ramón Forcada will supervise each of the pilots. Another new feature on the teams side: Tech3, which is leaving Yamaha after 20 years of collaboration, for KTM… and the Bormes-les-Mimosas structure will have official RC16s.
Another team changes for 2019! ✨@ andreaiannone29's new @ApriliaOfficial is being warmed up ready for The Maniac 👊#ValenciaTest pic.twitter.com/IO45Zr028B
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 20, 2018
Johann zarco is now an official KTM rider. A brand that he finds again 11 years after being crowned with it in the Red Bull Rookies Cup. It will evolve alongside Pol Espargaro who has just come off his podium won at the Valencia Grand Prix…
The first shots of @JohannZarco1 in @KTM_Racing colors 🔶
What do we think? 🤔#ValenciaTest pic.twitter.com/gjsYaVI0dO
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 20, 2018
Danilo Petrucci est the new teammate of Dovizioso at Ducati. A factory that will deliver to Jack Miller a GP19 under the Pramac awning. Finally, this will be the first official release of Folger in the shoes of a Yamaha test rider.
