The Aprilia MotoGP riders have highlighted the notable progress of the Italian brand during the tests conducted on Monday in Jerez, just a day after losing the Spanish Grand Prix to Ducati.
The factory team riders, Jorge Martin, and Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse, agreed that during this first test of the season a significant advance was achieved, with three Aprilia riders leading the time sheets.
Martin, who had lost testing due to a previous injury, took advantage of this day to try parts he had not been able to experiment with before. In statements to the media during midday, he indicated that the experience had been very positive.
“I am catching up on the time I lost in February!” Martin commented, who finished fourth in the race the day before. “There are new parts… well, new to me, that I couldn’t use during the first races. So today has been a very important day for me. I am making big improvements every time I go out on the track, getting better in braking, turning, and accelerating. It’s a big step forward.”
The rider also adjusted his expectations based on the post-race track conditions, noting that his improvement in pace was approximately two tenths. “The track improved a bit today, but the real gain for us was two tenths,” he added.
Fernandez, who set the second-best time behind his teammate Ai Ogura, also expressed excitement about the advances made in various aspects. “It was a very good day. I am happy because we found solutions for time attacking, which was a priority after yesterday’s victory,” he said.
With his new pace, Fernandez was able to ride in the “1m35s” bracket for the first time in Jerez, as well as improve by three tenths in the second sector. “We have to clarify it at Le Mans, but the test has been very positive,” he concluded. The day allowed the team to work on the bike’s setup and test new aerodynamic solutions, leaving a good taste ahead of the upcoming competitions.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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