Offseason testing – MotoGP Thailand testing – Day 1: Crutchlow takes good bearings –

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MotoGP Thailand testing – Day 1: Crutchlow takes good bearings

Offseason testing - MotoGP Thailand testing - Day 1: Crutchlow takes good bearings -

MotoGP riders discover the Buriram circuit in Thailand – where a Grand Prix will take place for the first time next fall – during the second round of official tests 2018. The first day was dominated by Cal Crutchlow (Honda) ahead of Alex Rins (Suzuki) and Marc Marquez (Honda).

Second official test session of the year for MotoGP riders: after the muggy heat of Sepang in January, heading for Thailand and its equally stifling weather conditions! A crucial session since it marks the discovery of the Chang International Circuit, a new route added to the 2018 program.

  • MNC special file : 
  • MNC special file : 

This 4.6 km circuit is located in the northeast of the country, 410 km from Bangkok, and has hosted the Word Superbike for three years. MotoGP will take it for the first time during the traditional overseas tour, scheduled for next October. The track, quite narrow, has three straight lines, one of which is a kilometer long: so many portions normally favorable to Ducatis. 

 Offseason testing - MotoGP Thailand testing - Day 1: Crutchlow takes good bearings -

Then, this circuit placed in Buriram presents several sequences of fairly rapid curves from turn 5 to turn 12, on which the agility of the Yamaha should be able to express itself. What about Honda? Marc Marquez, reigning world champion, believes after his first recognitions that the middle of the track suits him.

Crutchlow send the sauce (Thai)

In the absence of Pol Espargaro, it was finally Cal Crutchlow who stood out during this first day under the Thai sun. The British rider sets the first reference in 1’30.797 on his Honda-LCR, followed very closely by Alex Rins on his GSX-RR (+0.012 sec!).

A time leader of the session, Marc Marquez finished in third place in the standings, just + 0.115 sec. The HRC official precedes his opponent for the title of last year: Andrea Dovizioso on his Ducati, author of the 4th best time 0.148 sec from the reference time. 

Dani Pedrosa completed this extremely tight Top 5 (+0.163 sec!) Ahead of the Ducati-Pramacs of Danilo Petrucci and Jack Miller. Valentino Rossi, eighth, is 0.392 sec behind the leader for this day which marks s. 

"This test in Thailand promises to be interesting and I feel ready," explained the Doctor, arriving in Asia, where he engaged in promotional operations for Yamaha. "This part of the season is always decisive because it allows us to understand which direction to take for the first race. In Sepang, I had a very good feeling with the bike, I felt comfortable. We still have some things to improve, of course, but I’m quite optimistic ".

A Top 10 in half a second !

Andrea Iannone places the second Suzuki in 8th place ahead of Jorge Lorenzo, tenth at … 0.449 sec on his Ducati fitted with new fins. This means that the first ten are held in less than half a second: if this configuration is repeated during the race, we sign immediately !

Maverick Viñales places the second Yamaha in 11th place behind Lorenzo: the Spaniard is 0.497 sec behind the leader on his M1 equipped with fins released in Malaysia. The n ° 25 precedes Johann Zarco, who continues for the moment to prefer the 2016 chassis to the 2017 which he had tested – then put aside – at Sepang.

"On this track I will be using the 2016 chassis, because I felt good with it during the last test in Malaysia," confirms the n ° 5. "If I am able to fight during these three days, then I will keep it in Qatar. Nothing is definitive, but for the moment I have rather clear ideas with this chassis. My experience from last season, combined better things on the bike, should allow me to play podiums. At least that’s the goal! "

The Tech3 pilot finished 12th, 0.508 seconds behind Crutchlow at the controls of his M1 satellite. His teammate for this test, the Malaysian Hafizh Syahrin who replaces Jonas Folger at a moment’s notice, ranks 24th and last at 2.368 sec.

Relatively few drivers made a mistake during this first day, despite the unprecedented nature of these first laps: Pedrosa and Crutchlow fell without gravity in turn 12, as did Bautista and Rabat.. 

The Belgian Xavier Simeon fell more heavily, without hurting himself, but sending his Ducati Avintia back to long hours in the workshop! The most serious fall from a physical point of view is that of KTM test driver Mika Kallio, who went through the medical center to carry out preventive checks.

Results and classification of the first day of MotoGP testing in Buriram

Offseason testing - MotoGP Thailand testing - Day 1: Crutchlow takes good bearings -

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