This last day of testing was the worst for the Moto2 and Moto3 riders. The rain kept falling and then stopped before returning again, leaving the track in constant mixed conditions, which prevented them from really working today, especially this afternoon.
En Moto2, only eleven drivers spun during the second session, and only three during the last.
|
Moto2 Test Jerez de la Frontera |
Chronos |
|
Official record |
1'42.080 Alex Marquez 2017 |
|
Test February 2018 |
1'40.926 Alex Marquez (new coating) |
|
Test March 2018 J.1 |
1'42.443 Francis Bagnaia |
|
Test March 2018 J.2 |
1'41.823 Sam Lowes |
|
Test March 2018 J.3 |
1'45.174 fabio quartararo |
fabio quartararo (Speed Up Racing), Dominique Aegerter (Kiefer Racing), Frederick Fuligni (Tasca Racing Scuderia) and Jorge Navarro (Federal Oil Gresini) are those who have driven the most, with around ten laps to their credit.
Although this last day was not very useful for the teams, and the rain disrupted all of the tests, the drivers were still able to benefit from around five sessions in the dry, which allows them to have a concrete vision of the ranking, one week before the resumption of the season.
At the end of these three days and the combined times, it is Sam Lowes (Swiss Innovative Investors) who won, just ahead of his teammate Iker Lecuona. The Briton is one heart away from proving that he has not returned to Moto2 to play at the back but at the front, and these tests suggest that he could fight for the title again this year, just as he has. had done in 2016. For his part, Iker Lecuona, finally cured of his heavy injuries from last season, can finally show his talent, and should gradually assert himself at the forefront as the races progress.
Behind them we find Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo), also now recovered from his major injury last season. The South African confirms with his tests that he will also have to be counted on in 2018.
Francis Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46) ranks fourth. Having always completed the sessions of this test in the top five. The Italian risks being dangerous this year.
In fourth and fifth place we find the Spaniards Xavi Verge (Dynavolt Intact GP) and Alex Marquez (EG 0.0 Marc VDS). If the first is a nice surprise, who seems ready to play up front after having made a lot of progress in 2017, the second was more discreet than expected. Márquez had, in fact, dominated the last tests on this circuit and did not really make a splash this time. No worries though, the favorite for the title did not underperform and is just on the outskirts of the top 5.
Behind him, the rookie Roman Fenati (Marinelli Snipers Team) surprises with its seventh position. After a complicated start to the pre-season, the Italian seems to have adapted to his bike, which gives hope for good progress this year.
The two contenders for the title, Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team), are eighth and ninth. Quite discreet during these tests, they are still there.
Luca marini (SKY Racing Team VR46) closes the top 10. After a 2017 season of ups and downs with very good results but also bad luck and crashes, the Italian seems to have acquired the experience to fight at the front. We should therefore often see him at the forefront.
On the French side, Fabio Quartararo progresses on his Speed Up while it is more complicated for the rookie Jules Danilo (SAGTeam). The two men finished sixteenth and twenty-seventh.
These tests were much more complicated for Moto3 who only had three dry sessions, the others almost always taking place in mixed conditions, forcing many drivers to stay in the box. It's difficult to get an idea of the results of this test with only three sessions.
|
Moto3 Test Jerez de la Frontera |
Chronos |
|
Official record |
1'46.004 Jorge Martín 2017 |
|
Test February 2018 |
1'45.498 Tony Arbolino (new coating) |
|
Test March 2018 J.1 |
1'46.642 Aron Canet |
|
Test March 2018 J.2 |
1'45.945 Jorge Martín |
|
Test March 2018 J.3 |
1'52.808 Nakarin Atiratphuvapat (at 13 p.m., rain) |
At the end of these three days and the combined times, the order is well and truly respected. The four favorites for the title are Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini), Enea Bastianini (Leopard Racing), Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) and Fabio DiGiannantonio (Del Conca Gresini) occupy the first four places. The fight for the title is therefore likely to be fierce.
The task will not be easy because many drivers will come and challenge them for victory. If we trust these tests, Marco Bezzecchi (PruestelGP) and Alonso lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0) could be one of them. The Italian actually finished fifth and best KTM rider, while the Spaniard, who was making his debut in the category, ranked sixth.
Behind them, we find in seventh and eighth places the teammates of Sic 58 Squadra Corse, Niccolo Antonelli et Tatsuki Suzuki. The Italian seems to be adapting well to his new team while the Japanese seems to have made a leap forward compared to last year.
Then, Lorenzo Dalla Parta (Leopard Racing) ranks ninth. The Spaniard could join his teammate Bastianini in the fight for victory. Finally, Livio Law (Reale Avintia Academy) closes the top 10. Helped by his new team to which he is adapting rather well, the Belgian could return to the forefront this year.
However, let's not forget that in Moto3, many more than ten riders can win a Grand Prix... Roll on Qatar!
