It didn't count for much, but it's always good for morale. Especially as we close the year. The opportunity to spend a good winter vacation with a head full of positive ideas. This is what a Bautista who returned to the Aspar team from the time of its glory will enjoy. With his Ducati GP16, the Spaniard finished first in the MotoGP tests in Jerez. Enough to put a smile back on your face. And boss Jorge Martinez is in unison.
The former Aprilia official has joined the canopy that crowned him during the 125cc days. A reunion celebrated by a 1'38.946 which turned out to be the best performance of the second day of MotoGP testing in Jerez. But it was not this feat of arms that delighted the gathered Spaniards. And even less so since it was achieved against sparse opposition while, at the same time, a Kawasaki Superbike whipped by the World Champion of the category Jonathan Rhea held him at bay for 0.225s.
No, which brought balm to the heart Baptist and in Aspar, this was the manner in which this performance was acquired: “ we have taken an important step forward »Assures Jorge Martinez : “ a progress which is not only revealed with the lap times which are good, but also and above all with the regularity in the level of performance ».
« That's what we need to have good races and, in the end, that's what matters. This is what we were missing during the 2016 season ". A boon brought by the GP16: “ we have progressed in the areas of settings and electronics. The results of these tests are positive, even if it is still a little early to draw definitive conclusions since we are only starting with the bike and our new riders. The road is still long, but we have found good foundations ».
« We are fast and consistent and if we continue like this, we can hope for a good season in 2017 »concludes the boss.
His second pilot Karel Abraham will ride with the GP15. His best time placed him 1.055s behind his teammate. Work will resume in Malaysia on January 31.
