2013 Valencia Post-Race Test Day 1 Times: Yamahas Lead, Hondas Absent, Crutchlow Quickly Up To Speed

By David Emmett | Mon, 11/11/2013 - 17:53

Jorge Lorenzo was the fastest man on the first day of the Valencia test, finishing a short afternoon's work ahead of his factory Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi. The test took place under excellent conditions, but started only at noon, allowing the riders a bit of a rest at the end of the 2013 season, before the first test for 2014. 

Both Lorenzo and Rossi spent time on both the 2013 bike and an evolution of the 2014 bike, with Rossi saying the new bike was a big improvement. Rossi also spent time working with new crew chief Silvano Galbusera, who was getting up to speed on the Yamaha MotoGP bike. Lorenzo, still suffering from a lack of sleep, also liked the 2014 bike.

Stefan Bradl was third fastest, heading up a trio of Ducatis with an impressive Andrea Iannone faster than the two factory men. Andrea Dovizioso had a new fairing to test, while Cal Crutchlow spent his day getting used to the new bike. Crutchlow made an impressive debut, just a tenth off the time of his teammate, and eight tenths behind Lorenzo.

Scott Redding and Hiroshi Aoyama both made their debut on board the Honda RCV1000R production racer, though Redding continues to struggle with the injuries he suffered at Phillip Island and Motegi. With only a limited number of production Hondas available, Nicky Hayden had to sit Monday out, though he is due to take to the track on Tuesday to try the production Honda.

Moto2 champion Pol Espargaro also made his debut on the Tech 3 Yamaha, slotting into the seat vacated by Cal Crutchlow. Espargaro ended the day 1.9 seconds down on the time set by Lorenzo.

Several riders decided to sit the first day of the test out and take a day off. Marc Marquez, Dani Pedrosa, Bradley Smith and Alvaro Bautista did not take to the track.

Times after the first day of practice:

Pos No Rider Bike Time Diff Diff previous
1 99 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 1:31.257    
2 46 Valentino Rossi Yamaha 1:31.350 0.093 0.093
3 6 Stefan Bradl Honda 1:31.751 0.494 0.401
4 29 Andrea Iannone Ducati 1:31.925 0.668 0.174
5 4 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati 1:31.943 0.686 0.018
6 35 Cal Crutchlow Ducati 1:32.054 0.797 0.111
7 51 Michele Pirro Ducati 1:32.698 1.441 0.644
8 68 Yonny Hernandez Ducati Open 1:32.745 1.488 0.047
9 7 Hiroshi Aoyama Honda RCV1000R 1:33.020 1.763 0.275
10 40 Pol Espargaro Yamaha 1:33.187 1.930 0.167
11 45 Scott Redding Honda RCV1000R 1:34.195 2.938 1.008
12 70 Michael Laverty Aprilia ART 1:34.378 3.121 0.183
13 44 Martin Bauer Suter BMW 1:35.115 3.858 0.737
14 63 Mike Di Meglio FTR Kawasaki 1:36.304 5.047 1.189

 

2013
MotoGP
Valencia, Spain
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Comments

A bit of testing, but we'll all know much, much more come the end of the testing at Sepang. I know, I know, I'm stating the obvious. But it's true, never really know an awful lot come the close of the Valencia test. Anyone know why Marquez and Pedrosa sat out today?

Rossi complains of front end stability while braking on the M1. Meanwhile, Cal praises braking stability is much improved on the Ducati.

I smell partnership to beat Honda ;)

does 'straight' very well. It doesn't turn anything like as well. Rossi and Stoner are glad to be off of it. Dovi wants off. Cal is on honeymoon.

The other notable team missing is Forward. I was looking forward, haha, to seeing how Edwards and Espargaro would do on the customer Franken Yam. Any idea if they'll be testing tomorrow or do we have to wait?

GPone reported a few days back that forward team will be testing the FTR Yamaha at Valencia as Yamaha delivered frames and swing arms to FTR. Given the tight schedule for the build I would think there would be a few delays. Don't expect to see them out on track until the last day if at all...

I hope against hope that Cal Crutchlow, whose gunslinger attitude I love, and Dal'Igna will be Ducati's salvation. I want to see Crutchlow take Ducati to where no other rider (except Stoner) has succeeded in taking it.

Eurosport (another departee after season's end) said that a Tech 3 m/c, minus fairings, would be wheeled down to Forward as their starter.
Whether FTR got an engine or two ahead of time is the question on that version of the bike I guess.