[roadracingworld.com] - MotoGP: Vinales Fastest At Post-Season Valencia Test

[Ninjette Newsbot]

Maverick Vinales was fastest on his Aprilia RS-GP at the post-season MotoGP test in Valencia. Vinales’ 1:29.253 was slower than the outright lap record he set in qualifying on Saturday, […]

The post MotoGP: Vinales Fastest At Post-Season Valencia Test appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.



Maverick Vinales was fastest on his Aprilia RS-GP at the post-season MotoGP test in Valencia. Vinales’ 1:29.253 was slower than the outright lap record he set in qualifying on Saturday, but weather conditions on Tuesday were significantly worse than on race weekend. The ground temperature never got over 67 degrees Fahrenheit, and strong winds prevented accurate back-to-back comparisons with race weekend performance.

Brad Binder and Marco Bezzecchi were second and third, and fourth on his Ducati debut was Marc Marquez. His 1:29.424 best lap on the 2023 Ducati Desmosedici was less than two-tenths slower than his qualifying lap on Saturday on his Honda RC213V.

Two-time World Champion Francesco Bagnaia finished 11th, and title challenger and runner-up Jorge Martin crashed early and could manage only 15th.

Bagnaia, Binder and Bezzecchi tied for the highest top speed at 337 kph (209.402 mph), with Binder’s KTM the only non-Ducati of the fastest six machines.

Marc Marquez made his debut for Gresini Racing on a Desmosedici GP23 in a special livery. Photo by Michael Gougis.Marc Marquez (93) did fewer laps than all but one other rider, yet his best lap was only 0.171 seconds off the best time of the day. After the test, Marquez did not speak to the press, but the Gresini Racing team sent out over social media a cartoon of a cat wearing a huge grin. Photo by Michael Gougis.Brad Binder (shown) and Jack Miller tested a new aero package for the factory KTM team. The company tried to obscure the configuration with this livery. Photo by Michael Gougis.Close-up of the KTM fairing, showing a wing section that extends all the way to the back of the fairing. Photo by Michael Gougis.Francesco Bagnaia (1) says the Desmosedici GP24 enters corners better and is more responsive at the throttle. Photo by Michael Gougis.Repsol Honda rider Joan Mir says the prototype RC213V is longer, lighter and has better feel on corner entry. Photo by Michael Gougis.During the day, Yamaha tested a variety of aero configurations. Note the tail device similar to that used by KTM and GASGAS and the fairing ducting used by most other manufacturers. But Fabio Quartararo says the bike is still very far from where it needs to be. Quartararo finished 12th. Photo by Michael Gougis.Aprilia tested its carbon-fiber frame again, with Lorenzo Savadori riding it in Valencia. Note the large-scale weave pattern. Photo by Michael Gougis.MotoGP Test Results






The post MotoGP: Vinales Fastest At Post-Season Valencia Test appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.