These are ideal conditions which accompanied the return to Europe of the drivers on the Valencia circuit. The sun was also there to highlight the first laps of the KTM RC16 in the MotoGP World Championship.
A look back at the first day of the Valencia Grand Prix, the last meeting of the 2016 calendar.
Lorenzo wants to pay a nice tribute
Jorge Lorenzo recorded the best time in the combined standings of the first two free practice sessions. After encountering many difficulties in recent weeks, the Majorcan concluded the day ahead of Marc Marquez and Maverick Viñales, “It’s been a pretty good day,” confides Lorenzo. “The track offered enough grip. Michelin offers a carcass similar to that of Brno or Misano. »
This new carcass is less hard, allowing the tire to heat up more quickly, “With this carcass and the asphalt, I feel really good. I was surprised today how competitive I was, because I haven't been in the last six or seven races. I think Michelin still needs to work to offer us the best tires for each circuit. This year it has been difficult. »
Michelin offers a new profile this weekend which was tested in Brno, “To be honest, I didn't really feel any difference compared to Brno where I tried it for the first time. It's not worse, that's for sure and it offers better grip in the middle of the curve. We'll try again tomorrow. »
Marc Marquez didn't feel any difference either, “I tried the new tire today, but we don't know yet,” says Marquez. “There are no big differences, and it seems that it is not very clear for the other drivers either. We need to compare tomorrow. » To be fast, the Spaniard admits having to adapt differently compared to Bridgestone, “The Michelins are different, you have to change your riding style. »
KTM, a mixed comeback
La KTM RC16 made its first laps among the other manufacturers this Friday. With Mika Kallio on its handlebars, the new KTM concluded the day with the final time more than three seconds behind the reference time.
“Reality is the result we made,” explains Mika Kallio. “I would say we didn't show our best side today. Three seconds is a big surprise for us, because we thought we were closer. There are many things we can improve. It's only our first day and we still have two days to progress. »
Kallio suffered from a lack of rear grip, regardless of his settings or tire choice. The Finn admits to having been faster during the private test carried out on the same track, “We were faster a month ago and that's why we expected more. The afternoon temperature was the same, so I think there is something more going on at the moment. »
The KTM rider looks confident for the race, “We need to improve by one second to get closer to the others. Before coming here I was saying that we might not be the best on one lap, but in terms of race pace we can be competitive. »
The wounded corner
After being seriously injured in Japan, Dani Pedrosa has obtained permission to compete in the Valencia Grand Prix this weekend. The Spaniard ends the day with the tenth time just nine tenths behind Lorenzo, “It’s a circuit that turns left and I still feel weak on the right,” confides Pedrosa who fractured his right collarbone. “However, the day was rather positive, because I expected to suffer more. On the contrary, I kept more control and rode the way I wanted. I don't have a good feeling with the hard rear tire and I have a mixed opinion on the new profile proposed by Michelin. »
The Spaniard rode on painkillers this afternoon, “I didn't take any this morning because I wanted to assess the pain. This afternoon I had to take some and that's why I'm tired right now. Tomorrow it will be a question of seeing if the pain increases or if it decreases. This way we can work more on the settings. »
Andrea Iannone injured his vertebrae during the San Marino Grand Prix. The Italian made a remarkable comeback in Malaysia, fighting for victory before falling. This Friday in Valencia, Iannone suffered more, “We need to stay on the corner for a very long time here and that tends to wear the rear tire quickly,” He explains. “But I am confident and I know that the team will do everything to find a solution. I didn't use any painkillers today, but I think I'll have to take some tomorrow because there are a lot of sessions and we're on the bike for a long time. »
His teammate Andrea Dovizioso also suffered from this excessive wear of the rear tire, “I’m happy, because usually we suffer on this track,” nevertheless reassures Dovizioso. “We need to work on corner exits to reduce tire wear. »
Honda, Yamaha, Ducati, Aprilia and Suzuki, delighted with the 2016 season
The manufacturers entered this season held a press conference this Saturday in Valencia to take stock of the season. Paolo ciabatti (Dozens), Lynn Jarvis (yamaha), Livio Suppo (Sling), Davide Brivio (Suzuki) and Roman Albesian (Aprilia) agree that the arrival of the single software and Michelin played an important role.
“We are certainly among those who have benefited the most from the benefits of the regulation,” entrusts Davide Brivio whose Suzuki had certain advantages over Honda, Yamaha and Ducati, before losing them thanks to the good results signed by Maverick Viñales. “The tire change also helped and it made the Championship even better. There are three new manufacturers who have entered: Suzuki, Aprilia and soon KTM. It's very good for the show. »
If Honda continues with Pedrosa and Marquez next year, the other manufacturers will welcome new riders to their ranks, starting with Yamaha which has offered the services of Maverick Viñales. However, according to Lynn Jarvis, starting negotiations for the 2017 season so early did not help his team, “To win at this level, drivers need to be completely focused. The fact that Jorge decided to leave so early was undoubtedly a source of distraction for the rest of the season. There is inevitably a part of you that thinks about the future and the progression of your future motorcycle, the Ducati in this case. I can't say what his influence was. Fortunately, when our pilots put on their helmets, they are able to stay focused. »
To Davide Brivio, “Starting negotiations in May, after only five Grands Prix, forces you to judge a driver on the previous year. Maverick had an opportunity and we understand that, even if the situation affected us. Choosing Iannone is a challenge for the team and we can't wait to see what he can do on the bike. »
Although Johann zarco was among the riders in the running to ride the GSX-RR, Brivio opted for Alex Rins, “Alex is younger and I think he has more pressure. I still think that today. »
Ducati will welcome Lorenzo into its lineup next year and had to make a quick choice between Iannone and Dovizioso, “It’s really not easy to work with two fast drivers,” entrusts Paulo Ciabatti. “We have been working with both Andreas since 2013, but we had the opportunity to choose Jorge and in life you have to make difficult choices. We are sure that Iannone will do great things with Suzuki. »
Note that regarding rumors of a possible arrival of Ducati in Moto3, Paulo Ciabatti do not deny, “As soon as our MotoGP project is stable, we will be able to study the matter. At the moment, this is not yet planned. » As a reminder, Ducati made itself known in the small categories by winning its first Grand Prix in 1958 in Belgium with Alberto Gandossi.
Aprilia is also surrounding itself with new riders next year with Sam Lowes and Aleix Espargaro, “We have a lot of expectations from Sam. He is a young driver and he has a lot to learn. About Aleix, we know that he is a very professional driver,” Explain Roman Albesian.
Asked about the importance of the work of Mike Di Meglio As a test pilot, Albesiano explains, “His work has been beneficial and it is one of the elements in Aprilia’s success this season. He had a lot of work with electronics and tires. He did an excellent job. We will try to continue with him next year. » The Frenchman would then team up with Eugene Laverty who will follow the RS-GP development program in addition to riding under the Milwaukee Aprilia colors in WorldSBK.
