If there is one team that left the Valencia track, after two days of tests which launched the 2018 off-season, particularly happy and reassured about its choices for the future campaign, it is Honda. A first for a long time if we remember the big doubts of the pilots at this stage of technical preparation in past years. Doubts then dispelled and which did not prevent titles and success... But this time, the new generation RC213V is already almost ready and it delights its World Champion Marc Márquez.
It was a blow to the morale of its opponents that Honda dealt during the two days spent filing down the Ricardo Tormo track in preparation for the 2018 season. At HRC, we fielded the crowned 2017 machine, a version with an advanced chassis and a 2018 prototype, including engine. And it is the latter which seduced the now six-time winner, even if her best performance was accomplished with this year's version: “ the new prototype works well even if due to its novelty, we experienced some problems. It still needs to be understood, because it is not just a new engine. There are other new parts and the chassis is also brand new ».
« But already, I am very happy with the engine. It is more powerful and more available. Do you remember previous years? We were thinking about going back, we were wondering about electronics. This time everything is good, electronics included. That’s a big difference from 215 and 2016! The engine is good. The chassis? I still have some doubts and we are going to study the data to understand the situation before going to Malaysia, because that will be where I will ride the bike next time ».
An important indication because it means that the official drivers will skip the next test programs for Jerez. So the year is over for Márquez et Pedrosa which we will see again in activity in February next year. Proof that we are certain of our success at HRC. If, in Jerez, on November 22 and 23, there will be a Márquez, it will be Alex instead of Tom Luthi, Marc VDS Racing drivers convalescing.
#ValenciaTest MotoGP J.2: Chronos
1. Marc Marquez (Honda) 1:30,033 min
2. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) +0,403 sec
3. Johann Zarco (Yamaha) +0,406
4. Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati) +0,501
5. Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) +0,607
6. Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +0,621
7. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) +0,691
8. Jack Miller (Ducati) +0,827
9. Andrea Iannone (Suzuki) +0,844
10. Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia) +0,856
11. Pol Espargaro (KTM) +1,067
12. Bradley Smith (KTM) +1,169
13. Tito Rabat (Ducati) +1,353
14. Alex Rins (Suzuki) +1,483
15. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) +1,725
16. Franco Morbidelli (Honda) +1,753
17. Takaaki Nakagami (Honda) +1,834
18. Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) +1,841
19. Scott Redding (Aprilia) +2,325
20. Xavier Siméon (Ducati) +2,665
21. Takumi Takahashi (Honda) +3,837
-#ValenciaTest MotoGP: Cumulative times D.1 – D.2
1. Marc Marquez (Honda), 1:30,033 min
2. Maverick Vinales (Yamaha), 1:30,189
3. Johann Zarco (Yamaha), 1:30,389
4. Dani Pedrosa (Honda), 1:30,436
5. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha), 1:30,519
6. Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati), 1:30,534
7. Jack Miller (Ducati), 1:30,635
8. Cal Crutchlow (Honda), 1:30,654
9. Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia), 1:30,756
10. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati), 1:30,850
11. Andrea Iannone (Suzuki), 1:30,877
12. Pol Espargaro (KTM), 1:31,100
13. Bradley Smith (KTM), 1:31,202
14. Tito Rabat (Ducati), 1:31,386
15. Alex Rins (Suzuki), 1:31,516
16. Danilo Petrucci (Ducati), 1:31,721
17. Franco Morbidelli (Honda), 1:31,786
18. Takaaki Nakagami (Honda), 1,31,867
19. Scott Redding (Aprilia), 1:32,075
20. Karel Abraham, Ducati), 1:32,445
21. Xavier Siméon (Ducati), 1:32,698
22. Takumi Takahashi (Honda), 1:33,569
