Brad Binder led Pedro Acosta by 0.033s in rain-affected MotoGP Mugello Test, with Luca Marini in third when several riders did not ride.
Well, that wasn’t what the doctor ordered. Following overnight rain and showers throughout the day, running at the MotoGP Mugello Test was limited as only 16 of the 23 riders set lap times, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder fastest with a 1:47.617 – 0.033s quicker than Pedro Acosta’s (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) best effort.
RED BULL KTM and RED BULL GASGAS TECH3
It’s good that Binder topped the timesheets because that gives us the perfect excuse to kick things off with – arguably – the most notable update we spotted at Mugello. The Pierer Mobility Group bikes had new aero on them, the same as they had in the Jerez Test, with the update essentially sheathing the full side fairing, now making it a completely smooth surface. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was P4 and clocked the second-highest lap tally (32) with Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) only getting a wet weather lap time on the board in P13.
REPSOL HONDA and CASTROL/IDEMITSU HONDA LCR
Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) ended the day P3 on the timesheets, with the Italian lapping a table-topping 40 times in the differing conditions. Reports from the ground suggest there was nothing new to report in terms of new parts on the HRC machines that we didn’t see at the Italian GP, with the weather curtailing every manufacturer’s plans.
Ergonomics-wise, Marini was spotted trying a new tank cover as he attempts to get comfier on the RC213V. Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) said a new engine was going to be tested, but one that is only a slight change to the current one. The Spaniard suggested Honda are seeking to have a new engine ready for July, so keep an eye on that in the coming weeks. Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) and Takaaki Nakagami (Idemitsu Honda LCR) racked up 58 laps between them, neither managed any dry running though.
APRILIA and TRACKHOUSE
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) was the top RS-GP rider in P6, with both his and teammate Aleix Espargaro’s bikes looking like they were standard-spec. Not much to report from the Noale camp – on track anyway.
In the Trackhouse Racing garage, Raul Fernandez had one 2024-spec RS-GP but the Spaniard completed just six laps on Monday. On the other side of the garage, Miguel Oliveira also clocked six laps on a quiet day for the American outfit.
MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA
With a private test coming up soon in Valencia, both Alex Rins and Fabio Quartararo lapped less than 20 times on Monday, with neither going out when the track was dry. More work will be done in Valencia for Yamaha ahead of a trip to Assen at the end of this month.
DUCATI LENOVO, PRIMA PRAMAC, GRESINI and PERTAMINA ENDURO VR46
The only two Ducati riders to roll out of pitlane and set a lap time were Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP). The Italian and Spaniard were P15 and P16 on the timesheets respectively.
Here’s news on Jorge Martin joining Aprilia
[Note: The story is as per press release]