MotoGP: today, Honda and Stefan Bradl shoot first!

While everyone is impatiently awaiting the first MotoGP tests at Sepang which will take place in two bursts (see our calendar), Honda and Stefan Bradl decided not to waste time by racing the latter on the Jerez track today, a day before the Superbikes take to the track.

Although we are still in a ban period for contract pilots, this is fully in accordance with the regulations for a test pilot (see translation of the regulations below).

We will provide an update on this debugging later today, with our correspondent on site.

Concerning the test pilots, Honda currently has Stefan bradl, Ducati Michele Pirro, Yamaha Katsuyuki Nakasuga and / or Kohta Nozane (and more than likely Jorge Lorenzo), Suzuki of Sylvain Guintoli (et Takuya Tsuda?), KTM Dani Pedrosa et Mika Kallio and Aprilia of Bradley Smith (for the time being).

Chaque usine dispose d’autant de pilotes d’essais qu’elle veut, mais de seulement “120 pneus” multiplié par 2 (leur nombre de pilote officiels), c’est à dire 240 pneus pour l’ensemble de leurs pilotes d’essais.

---

Test pilots
Test riders are only authorized for motorcycle manufacturers with their own factory team, and for teams using machines from manufacturers who benefit from Concessions (art. 2.4.2).
If a manufacturer does not have its own factory team, it must nominate one of its customer teams as the factory team for testing with the test drivers for that season.
Each manufacturer can nominate up to 3 current Grand Prix circuits, the latter being the only GP circuits on which their test teams can appear. There is no restrictions on testing on non-GP circuits.
a) Test drivers may participate in all tests described in point 1.15.1.1.A, above, with the exception of training included in the program of an event.
b) Test drivers may perform tests on any circuit, at any time, using only their tire allocation. Testing is not authorized in the 14 days preceding a GP event on a circuit, unless authorized by Race Management.
c) Les pilotes d’essais peuvent effectuer des tests de “shakedown” dans les 3 jours qui précèdent immédiatement le premier test officiel après la période d’interdiction des tests d’hiver. Ces tests sont exemptés du règlement spécifiant les 3 circuits pour tester.

Allocation of test tires
Machine development is limited by the allocation of test tires. The allowance is not transferable between teams or manufacturers, and is provided only by the official tire supplier, as follows:
All factory teams: 120 tires per contracted driver per season. These tires may be used by a test driver, or team's contracted riders only subject points 1.15.1.1.Ai) and j) and 1.15.1.1.B, above.
All non-factory teams: 120 tires per contracted driver per season. These tires are for the exclusive use of the team's contracted drivers, subject to the points 1.15.1.1.Ai) and j) and 1.15.1.1.B, above.
The test tires will be of the same specification as those already allocated during tests or previous official races, or those appearing in the list provided by the tire supplier before the start of the season. New tire specifications may be provided for testing, but these will not be included in a ride allowance until they have been tested during an official test.
Tires intended for contracted drivers during official testing will be subject torequirement of supply art. 2.4.4.9.9. A), B), C) and will not be counted as part of the allocation of test tires.