We take the same ones and start again… or almost! This Wednesday and Thursday, if the weather is nicer this time, the Honda HRC teams – both the MotoGP test team and the official WSBK team – will return to the Jerez circuit to complete two days of pre-season testing. The Honda team was to be joined on Thursday by the Kawasaki team, which ultimately decided to cancel this Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday and Thursday, the HRC teams will return to the Jerez circuit. The MotoGP test team and the official WSBK team are hoping for good weather for two days of winter testing. The objective is to complete the schedule of works and developments planned the previous week which they were unable to carry out due to the rain.
On January 20 and 21, test rider Stefan Bradl completed 50 laps despite the rain, while the Superbike riders preferred to stay in the pits so as not to spoil one of the ten test days available for 2021, something that made Jonathan Rea react.
The forecast calls for good weather from Wednesday to Friday and maximum temperatures of between 20 and 23 degrees. This was not enough to convince Kawasaki who had announced their presence on the track on Thursday, with Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes, but ultimately canceled their trip. The Kawasaki team is evaluating the possibility of joining two test days on February 10 & 11, on the Andalusian track, with the MotoGP riders. We should find on the track the Ducati teams with Michele Pirro, KTM with Dani Pedrosa, Honda with Stefan Bradl, as well as Yamaha which would see Cal Crutchlow take on the role of test rider.
More than the other teams entered in MotoGP, Honda is taking advantage of its test rider to prepare for 2021: Stefan Bradl has been in Andalusia since last Monday to focus on the new RC213V prototype.
Only the development of the engine is set for 2021, but it is possible to make modifications to “ancillary” elements such as the exhaust and the injection system. The technical teams brought in a new chassis, and engineers are also working on aerodynamics, electronics and suspension. The main objective is to regain more grip after the introduction of the new Michelin rear tire.
Photos: Jerez Circuit
