MotoGP test in Barcelona (J.1): new chicane and front tire on the program!

Was it due to the fact that the Repsol Hondas won a double at Jerez after doing private testing there previously, and the factory Yamahas performed excellently at Le Mans after doing the same there? Still, yesterday there were no less than 11 drivers wearing out the tarmac in Barcelona, ​​less than three weeks before the Grand Prix which will take place there...

Andrea Dovizioso, Jorge Lorenzo and Michele Pirro for Ducati, Álvaro Bautista and Karel Abraham for the Aspar team, Loris Baz and Hector Barbera for the Avintia team, Aleix Espargaro and Sam Lowes for Aprilia, Tito Rabat for Marc VDS (Jack Miller carried out some examinations after his falls at Le Mans), as well as Cal Crutchlow for the LCR Honda team was present today with a double program: on the one hand, it was a question of getting its bearings after the modification of the circuit and, in particular, the creation of the new chicane, and on the other hand all these pilots continued to familiarize themselves with the new Michelin front tire “70” which will be at their disposal from Mugello

As this is a private test, no time has been released for the moment and the only scraps of information available report mechanical problems on the Aprilias, while the official Ducatis have apparently still not tested the new fairing intended to replace the now famous “Hammerhead”. Loris Baz, who completed 70 laps (!) does not seem to like the modification of the circuit but is satisfied with his day of testing.

Today, for the last day of testing in Catalonia, Casey Stoner as well as the two pilots Honda Repsol are expected to take to the track, bringing the number of drivers familiar with the new layout to 14.

Note the absence of any Yamaha, the latter preferring to focus on Motorland Aragon…