MotoGP Test Valence LIVE (2/2): We conclude 2022 in style but Yamaha and Honda are worrying!

After one first part of the 2023 MotoGP test in Valencia from 9:30 a.m. to 13:30 p.m., we now attack, from 13:30 p.m. to 17:30 p.m., the final straight of the year 2022 in the premier category.

New season and modifications oblige, a little reminder of the contenders for the 2023 title is far from superfluous…

 

 

This morning, Johann zarco led the session for a long time, in 1'30.626 before passing the baton to Jorge Martín in 1'30.576, then at Maverick Vinales in 1'30.325 around 12:40 p.m.
As a reminder, the Ricardo Tormo circuit record still belongs to Jorge Lorenzo, in 1'29.401, since 2016, while the best time achieved during the last GP was 1'29.621 by Jorge Martín during qualification (See here).
No fall was to be deplored for the 23 pilots, 23 since Michele Pirro joined the MotoGP starters for a few laps at the start of the session.

As expected, we saw a multitude of new fairings, fins and other aerodynamic appendages, and we will come back in detail on them, brand by brand.

Even if between 12:30 p.m. and 13:30 p.m. there were only a few motorcycles on the track, the session did not really include any interruptions, and this is why certain riders were authorized to carry out start tests directly out of the pit. lane.

 

Here are the times as they stood at 13:30 p.m.

MotoGP test results in Valencia at 13:30 p.m. :

 

We see it, fabio quartararo  was the most diligent this morning, and was also one of the quickest to resume activities after 12:30 p.m. The Yamaha rider tried several engine upgrades and numerous aerodynamic elements, some already seen at Misano, others new like a fairly large fork head-fin assembly with a larger air inlet. However, with a maximum speed of 327,4 this remains 8 km/h slower than Francesco Bagnaia and the times do not currently reflect a significant improvement. Wait and see…

 

 

At Aprilia Racing, which is keen to erase its poor performance on Sunday and which occupies the first two positions in the test, it seems that they have reinforced the ground effect provided by the lower fairing.

 

 

An element copied by Ducati on the machine Johann zarco, but which is not the only aerodynamic development tested for the next season, with for example closer ailerons, or even mechanics...

 

 

At Honda, we mainly use the prototype seen at Misano, also testing a carbon clutch, like on the Aprilia, and a new saddle-exhaust configuration.

 

 

Finally at KTM, in addition to the change from orange to red at Tech3, we also find the prototype seen during the two-day test in Misano.

 

At 14:30 p.m., alone Johann zarco is on track and the ranking has not changed.

Results of the MotoGP test in Valencia at 14:30 p.m.:

 

At 15:00 p.m., Luca Marini climbed to 3rd position in the ranking. Note that there will only be 4 Ducati GP23s next year, compared to 5 GP22s this season. Despite a very good end to the season, it is Luca marini who will remain on a GP22 with end-of-year specifications, unlike the drivers of the official team and the Pramac team. A situation which can prove to be an advantage at the start of the season, but turn into a disadvantage as the months go by.

Two minutes later, the brother of Valentino Rossi achieves the best time in 1'30.267 under the satisfied eyes of Pablo Nieto, While Jacques Roca swapped his Suzuki outfit for that of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team…

 

 

Most of the drivers have now returned to their box or to the track, and Aleix Espargaró carries out numerous initial tests, just like Maverick Vinales et Miguel Oliveira...
Would they prepare something for us in that regard?

 

 

Just before 15:30 p.m., Marco Bezzecchi takes 4th position.

MotoGP test results in Valencia at 15:30 p.m.:

 

The “Aprilia style” lower fairing has been used on the motorcycleEnea Bastianini.

 

 

Back to back, Brad Binder et Jack Miller are experiencing chassis height issues at the rear: the mudguards are rubbing on the rear tire and both are deteriorating.

 

 

Francis Bagnaia try the closely spaced ailerons and the ground effect fairing...

 

 

Miguel Oliveira takes 3rd position, in the middle of the two official Aprilias: the Portuguese rider did not take long to get used to the RS-GP!

At 16:02 p.m., Marco Bezzecchi is positioned 2nd, 2/10 behind his teammate who had lowered the benchmark to 1'30.032.

 

 

Appearance of small wave-shaped air flow guides on the lower fairing of the KTM Brad Binder... A contribution from the Red Bull F1 team?

 

 

Joan mir moved up to 14th place on the Honda.

 

 

Nice improvement in Fabio DiGiannantonio, 6th!

fabio quartararo, currently 16th more than a second behind, returns to his 2022 bike.

Enea Bastianini, on the attack, experienced the first fall of the day, without seriousness.

 

MotoGP test results in Valencia at 16:30 p.m. :

 

The sun is starting to set on the Ricardo Tormo circuit…

fabio quartararo leaves with a 1 M2023 equipped with a configuration fabio quartararo, for time attack: hard front, soft rear…

 

 

The Niçois first returned to 14th position then moved to 9th, 0,546 seconds behind. Luca marini visibly attacking. Despite the efforts of the Frenchman who completed 3 flying laps, things remained there, which is not very reassuring…. Especially since Jorge Martín declares himself delighted with his new engine!

A good half hour before the track closes, fewer and fewer engines resonate in the Valencian stadium. Alone Maverick Vinales, Pol Espargaro, alex rins et Augusto Fernandez are currently on track.

Maverick Vinales nevertheless fits between the two Ducatis of the VR46.

Activity picks up somewhat for the last minutes, but especially in the second half of the ranking. Franco Morbidelli, 14th, lights the first sector in red but ultimately does not improve.

Only Maverick Vinales et Takaaki Nakagami continue to ride, quickly joined by the Tech3 drivers, Alex Rins, et Jack Miller.

In extremis, Brad Binder also gives us an “Aprilia-style” lower fairing.

 

 

The test is now coming to an end, largely dominated by Ducati and Aprilia.
The first KTM is 7th, the first Yamaha 9th, the first Honda 13th! In Iwata and Tokyo, we will have to work hard this winter to be ready on February 10, 11 and 12, 2023 for the next official pre-season test which will take place in Sepang, Malaysia!
Even Marc Márquez declared himself very disappointed, angry and worried for 2023!

See you soon for pilot reactions and technical photos!

 

Final result of the MotoGP test in Valencia :

Credit classification and photos: MotoGP.com