Andrea Dovizioso, who came within 0.052sec of his first podium of the season on Sunday, set the pace during Monday’s post-race test in Catalunya whilst using a modified chassis on his Repsol Honda RC212V.
Dovizioso, who has now taken fourth in the world championship standings from injured team-mate Dani Pedrosa, lapped consistently fast during his 69 laps, with a best time of 1min 42.230sec.
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That was comfortably quicker than the fastest lap from Sunday’s race, a 1min 42.858sec by Ducati’s Casey Stoner, and also inside the existing lap record of 1min 42.358sec set by Pedrosa in the 2008 race. Pedrosa missed the test in order to rest his injured hip.
“I’m really happy with the test today and with the pace we were able to achieve. The modified chassis we tested gave very positive feedback straight away so I used it for most of the day,” said Dovizioso, who beat his best race lap by over one second on Monday.
“One of the main improvements in feeling was in the entry to the corner which is a very important plus point because that’s one of the main areas where we’ve been looking to make progress.”
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“I know Honda is working really hard to give us a machine to win races, and today has given us a lot of positive signals, so thanks to them - and to my team who have also been working very hard this weekend. I’m definitely looking forward to getting back out on track in Assen,” he added.
“As well as the good lap time, we’ve also collected a lot of information that we can use to develop the machine, because we’re not finished yet,” declared team manager Kazuhiko Yamano. “Testing opportunities are limited this year, so it’s important we make maximum use of this one.”
Closest to Dovizioso on Monday was Valentino Rossi, who returned to the scene of his dramatic last gasp victory over Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo. The Italian, now level with Lorenzo and Stoner at the top of the world championship, set a best lap time 0.204sec slower than Dovizioso and just 0.012sec quicker than Lorenzo.
After a characteristically late start, reigning six time MotoGP world champion Rossi rode for 58 laps, which included evaluation of a ‘long life’ engine spec for use from Brno, while Lorenzo completed 80 circulations of his home track.
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Fastest Ducati rider at the test was not Stoner, but rookie Mika Kallio, who - like Dovizioso - appeared to made a clear step forward with new parts. The Finn, ninth on Sunday for Pramac Racing, lapped 1.246sec faster than he had managed during the grand prix and only 0.4sec slower than Dovizioso. Yahoo! Eurosports
Valentino Rossi usually produces his best work in the afternoon, as evidenced in Sunday’s race at the Barcelona track, and he didn’t see much –if any- of the morning from the comfort of his motorhome. He only started his testing work after the hour-long lunch break had concluded at 2pm, leaving him with four hours in which to test various components for his M1 bike. A new engine spec designed for longer lifespan –crucial when limitations come into place from the Brno round- was on the list, as well as a new Bridgestone rear in the early stages of development. The tyre uses a construction intended for use at Phillip Island and its particular demands.
Raceday runner-up Jorge Lorenzo did not join his teammate in running the new engine spec, instead focusing his attention on electronics.
Casey Stoner would have been forgiven for not even getting out of bed on Monday morning, based on his extreme exhaustion and flash illness evident after the podium ceremony. The gritty Australian decided to give his condition an early examination with some morning laps, and he continued to ride in short stints in order to test a new setup and electronics alongside his fellow Ducati riders.
The next chance for the riders to use any potential breakthroughs will be at the upcoming Alice TT Assen round of the World Championship, and in the hours following the Barcelona test the teams will submit their tyre choices for the Dutch race to Bridgestone as per the new regulation premiering this week. MotoGP
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