Posted on 30.09.2019 by admin

MotoGP 2018 tests: Yamaha dominates the first tests

After a disappointing end to the 2017 season, Maverick Viñales dominated the first day of MotoGP 2018 testing yesterday in Valencia. The Yamaha official is a hair ahead of Johann Zarco, brilliant second at 0.2 seconds on the Yamaha Tech3, while world champion Marc Marquez sets the third time. Explanations.

MotoGP 2018 is now! The drivers of the world championship take part yesterday and today in the first offseason tests on the circuit of Valence, scene of the very last test this weekend which saw Marc Marquez topped his sixth world crown.

The official Yamaha Maverick Viñales, third in the 2017 world championship, is at the top of the qualifying stages on the first day (yesterday) ahead of the first private 2017 rider, Johann Zarco (Yamaha Tech3), and the 2017 world champion, Marc Marquez ( Honda Repsol).

Valencia GP :
Valencia GP :
MNC special file :
MNC Live :

"Viñales focused on the 2016 bike," admits Yamaha (the same one used in the race on Sunday in Valencia) while Rossi focused on "comparing the 2016, 2017 and 2018 chassis", continues the manufacturer. Victim of a huge fall in turn 10 – fortunately not serious – the Doctor was unable to complete his test of the 2018 chassis. "His feelings on the 2016 motorcycle were particularly positive", rejoices (?! ) Yamaha while Rossi records the 4th time 0.330 sec behind his young teammate.

"I had exactly the same bike that I used during the Valencia GP this weekend and I felt a lot better, as if I had returned to my usual state of form", assures Maverick Viñales: "I was attacking on all the laps, as always, and already in the morning I felt great. I felt like I found my Yamaha. I was fast on both the 2017 bike and the 2016 one. strong points on both and I feel comfortable on both. On the 2016 model I can brake better and enter the curves better, and on the 2017 I can come out better. I rode on the 2016 all afternoon and I have to do a few laps on the 2017 to choose between the two. I feel the 2017 has more potential if it works like today, but if it’s like Sunday I don’t know "…

"I like the new bike", rejoices Zarco

This famous 2017 chassis, however, one pilot got away with it – and immediately – accommodated: Johann Zarco! After having had a brilliant first season riding the 2016 M1, the Tech3 rider did his first tests on the 2017 model … and finished second, two tenths behind the official rider on the old bike. !

"I’m happy and I like the new bike," said the very talented French rider. "I started on the 2016 YZR-M1 which I was driving this year to have benchmarks, then I tried the 2017 version and overall I have a good feeling under braking, which is important. When you start the race, having better braking control means you can fight better so I’m satisfied, I did a quick lap on new tires and I’m close to my qualifying time on Saturday, only a tenth slower. I spend less energy on the bike so for me, testing the new bike was very positive ".

What also satisfies the Tech3 team manager who notes that "Maverick only beat us at the end, so being second after only a few laps means a lot".

"In addition, I am happy to see Yamaha in first, second and fourth places", continues Herve Poncharal: "we are only at the beginning of the offseason, but it is very important to start with positive feelings, this which is the case ".

"The most important was not to be the fastest", tempers Marquez

"Today was a typical day of tests, when you have to work and wait in the garage because everything is new", explains Marc Marquez, third time on the first day.

"The most important thing was to understand the direction to take with the new bike, not to be the fastest," tempers the now six-time world champion. "Of course, this morning I was fast and consistent with my current bike, then in the afternoon we switched to the new machine which obviously has a lot of new things that require work to refine them. Tomorrow (today ‘ hui, Editor’s note) we will be able to collect more data, because today I was only able to do three trips on the 2018 motorcycle. The chassis is different, the engine is different and other parts are different, so now we have to understand the strengths and identify those that need to be improved, then opt for the best compromise ".

"I’m faster on the old bike", confirms Rossi

As for Valentino Rossi, 4th in qualifying, he believes that "the day did not go so badly. We had a little more time to work on the 2016 chassis than we had already tried on Sunday (during the race, Ed. ), and I feel comfortable and strong. It was pretty positive because I had a good pace with the new tires and I was able to do good lap times. I’m fourth, not far from the first ".

"The feeling with the bike is rather positive, we were able to find the right balance", continues the Doctor. "The problem, as we know, is the rear tire which is deteriorating. Going back to the 2016 chassis is not enough, we have to keep working, but I can confirm that I am faster on the old bike".

“My second outing was with the new engine, the 2018 prototype, but unfortunately I only did two laps before I crashed. I hope they can fix it so we can use it tomorrow (today , Editor’s note) and that I can better understand it. I think the engine may be a little faster, but it does not solve the problem of degradation of the rear tire ".

MNC Live :

Results of the first day of MotoGP 2018 testing

VIÑALES, Maverick Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 1: 30.189 70/80
ZARCO, Johann Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1: 30.389 0.200 0.200 44/53
MARQUEZ, Marc Repsol Honda Team 1: 30.501 0.312 0.112 45/70
ROSSI, Valentino Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 1: 30.519 0.330 0.018 49/63
MILLER, Jack OCTO Pramac Racing 1: 30.635 0.446 0.116 54/57
ESPARGARO, Aleix Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1: 30.756 0.567 0.121 31/51
DOVIZIOSO, Andrea Ducati Team 1: 30.850 0.661 0.094 28/50
LORENZO, Jorge Ducati Team 1: 31.059 0.870 0.209 34/48
ESPARGARO, Pol Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1: 31.166 0.977 0.107 45/56
CRUTCHLOW, Cal LCR Honda Castrol 1: 31.259 1.070 0.093 31/55
PEDROSA, Dani Repsol Honda Team 1: 31.328 1.139 0.069 13/52
SMITH, Bradley Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1: 31.415 1.226 0.087 30/53
RABAT, Tito Reale Avintia Racing 1: 31.673 1.484 0.258 51/70
PETRUCCI, Danilo OCTO Pramac Racing 1: 31.721 1.532 0.048 19/46
REDDING, Scott Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1: 32.075 1.886 0.354 61/64
ABRAHAM, Karel Pull & Bear Aspar Team 1: 32.445 2.256 0.370 52/66
NAKAGAMI, Takaaki LCR Honda IDEMITSU 1: 32.723 2.534 0.278 66/76
MORBIDELLI, Franco EG 0.0 Marc VDS 1: 32.762 2.573 0.039 76/78
TAKAHASHI, Takumi EG 0.0 Marc VDS 1: 33.569 3.380 0.807 55/55
SIMEON, Xavier Reale Avintia Racing 1: 34.242 4.053 0.673 36/43

Not classified

BAUTISTA, Alvaro Pull & Bear Aspar Team
IANNONE, Andrea Team SUZUKI ECSTAR
RINS, Alex Team SUZUKI ECSTAR

The pilots are still shooting in Valencia today for the second and final day of testing: stay tuned !

Results of the second day of MotoGP 2018 testing

MARQUEZ, Marc Repsol Honda Team 1: 30.033 60/61
PEDROSA, Dani Repsol Honda Team 1: 30.436 0.403 0.403 43/51
ZARCO, Johann Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1: 30.439 0.406 0.003 53/65
LORENZO, Jorge Ducati Team 1: 30.534 0.501 0.095 14/39
VIÑALES, Maverick Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 1: 30.640 0.607 0.106 61/66
CRUTCHLOW, Cal LCR Honda CASTROL 1: 30.654 0.621 0.014 45/72
ROSSI, Valentino Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 1: 30.724 0.691 0.070 51/62
MILLER, Jack OCTO Pramac Racing 1: 30.860 0.827 0.136 34/45
IANNONE, Andrea Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1: 30.877 0.844 0.017 41/47
ESPARGARO, Aleix Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1: 30.889 0.856 0.012 16/44
ESPARGARO, Pol Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1: 31.100 1.067 0.211 Nov-46
SMITH, Bradley Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1: 31.202 1.169 0.102 May-39
RABAT, Tito Reale Avintia Racing 1: 31.386 1.353 0.184 39/64
RINS, Alex Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1: 31.516 1.483 0.130 35/38
DOVIZIOSO, Andrea Ducati Team 1: 31.758 1.725 0.242 Apr-22
MORBIDELLI, Franco EG 0.0 Marc VDS 1: 31.786 1.753 0.028 48/58
NAKAGAMI, Takaaki LCR Honda IDEMITSU 1: 31.867 1.834 0.081 62/62
PETRUCCI, Danilo OCTO Pramac Racing 1: 31.874 1.841 0.007 30/36
REDDING, Scott Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1: 32.358 2.325 0.484 34/56
SIMEON, Xavier Reale Avintia Racing 1: 32.698 2.665 0.340 59/61
TAKAHASHI, Takumi EG 0.0 Marc VDS 1: 33.870 3.837 1.172 30/70