Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) shot to the top of the timesheets at the post-Brno test with only seconds left on the clock, deposing reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) from P1 by only thousandths. Second Movistar Yamaha rider Maverick Viñales made for close company in third, only a tenth and a half further back after having been first for much of the session.
As well as their own specific programs, teams also had 2018 Michelin front tyres to test, with the rubber designed with the intention of improving temperature management. Here’s what the teams focused on:
Yamaha
One of the biggest headlines behind the timesheets was a new aero fairing for Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, which didn’t break cover during the race weekend. The team also tried new carbon forks and worked on settings, with Maverick Viñales doing 69 laps with a best of 1:55.335 in P3 and Valentino Rossi putting in 52 laps. The ‘Doctor’’s best was a 1:55.162 to take over at the top.
The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 garage had Jonas Folger trying a different chassis and teammate Johann Zarco focusing on settings, specifically to improve corner entry. Folger did 48 laps and was P8, Zarco 70 laps to take fifth.
Honda
Repsol Honda teammates Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa spent the day prepping for the Austrian GP, working on the electronics and trying different settings. Marquez did 67 laps with a best of 1:55.180 for second. Pedrosa, fresh from his 150th podium, put in a best of 1:55.795 after 53 laps and was P7.
LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow was working to solve some issues he’d encountered during the Czech GP, before focusing heavily on getting ready for the hard braking and hard acceleration of the Austrian GP. He was P6 after 48 laps. EG 0,0 Marc VDS saw Jack Miller trying softer triple clamps, and working on settings. Tito Rabat focused more on his riding style. Rabat just beat his teammate to P12 by 0.099.
Ducati
Work for the Ducati Team centered around their radical new aero fairing that first appeared during the Czech GP weekend. Jorge Lorenzo kept working with it after having used it at Brno, with Andrea Dovizioso trying it out for the first time. Lorenzo was P4 with a 1:55.542 after 55 laps, Dovizioso P11 after 45 laps.
Aprilia
Aprilia Racing Team Gresini continued working with their new parts brought after summer – although Sam Lowes was forced to limit his track time after injuring his foot during the GP weekend. The Noale factory have a new engine, airbox, exhaust, gearbox and swingarm as some of their key upgrades – with lots to test. Aleix Espargaro was P10 after 51 laps, Lowes P17 after 26.
Suzuki
Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Andrea Iannone was focused on braking and getting the bike stopped, as well as trying the 2018 spec engine for the Hamamatsu factory. Rookie Alex Rins tried the chassis Iannone has had since the Catalunya Test. Iannone was P9 after 47 laps, Rins P14 after 69. Test rider Takuya Tsuda was also on track and worked on electronics.
KTM
Red Bull Factory Racing followed up their best ever result with Pol Espargaro in the Czech GP with some preparation for their home race next time out. Espargaro was working on the chassis and on acceleration when the bike is upright – with stopping power something the Austrian factory are already happy with. Bradley Smith’s side of the garage were trying out ways to adapt the bike more to the Brit’s riding style. Espargaro did 60 laps and was P15, Smith 51 laps to end the day in sixteenth.
