2014 MotoGP Sepang 2 Day 3 Final Times: Rossi Tops Timesheets, Pedrosa Level, Lorenzo Improves

By David Emmett | Fri, 28/02/2014 - 10:37

Valentino Rossi leaves the second Sepang test as fastest overall, after finding a burst of pace early in the day to crack the two-minute barrier. So happy with his progress in testing this year was the Italian that he told the press afterwards he was already seriously considering a contract for 2015 and 2016, as long as his results during race weekends improve along the same lines as his pace in testing.

Dani Pedrosa took second spot, finishing with the same time as Rossi after chasing a time at the end of the day. But the Repsol Honda man had to cede top spot to Rossi, as Rossi had posted faster times during the day. The clear progress Ducati have made with the GP14 was evident from Andrea Dovizioso's time, the Italian setting the fastest ever time on a Ducati around the Sepang circuit. Clear improvement on braking and corner entry have made a big difference to the performance of the bike. Dovizioso set his best time using the factory software, though he later did a long run using the Open configuration, running a string of laps in the high 2'01s and low 2'02s.

Aleix Espargaro was 4th fastest, just a tenth slower than Rossi. Espargaro also posted a long run, in around the same pace as Dovizioso on the Ducati. From the timesheets, both riders appear to have suffered a bit of a drop in tire life at the end of their long runs, the later laps slower than the early laps.

Stefan Bradl took 5th spot, the first of the two satellite Hondas, though a third of a second quicker than Alvaro Bautista. Jorge Lorenzo continues to struggle, though not as badly as on the first two days, closing the gap by half a second. The gap is stil six tenths of a second, though, and that was with Marc Marquez being absent from the test.

Cal Crutchlow also made steady progress with the Ducati, eight tenths behind Rossi, but ahead of the Tech 3 Yamahas of Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro. Smith saved his honor in the battle for Tech 3 supremacy, posting a quick lap at the end of the day to get ahead of his teammate Pol Esparagaro.

The factory teams and satellite teams now pack up and go their separate ways. The factory teams head south to Phillip Island, while the satellite and Open teams ship west to Qatar. The two groups will have their own separate tests, ahead of the start of the 2014 season on March 23.

Times:

Pos No Rider Bike Time Diff Diff previous
1 46 Valentino Rossi Yamaha M1 1:59.999    
2 26 Dani Pedrosa Honda RC213V 1:59.999 0.000 0.000
3 4 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati GP14 2:00.067 0.068 0.068
4 41 Aleix Espargaro Yamaha FTR Open 2:00.101 0.102 0.034
5 6 Stefan Bradl Honda RC213V 2:00.164 0.165 0.063
6 19 Alvaro Bautista Honda RC213V 2:00.506 0.507 0.342
7 99 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha M1 2:00.619 0.620 0.113
8 35 Cal Crutchlow Ducati GP14 2:00.790 0.791 0.171
9 38 Bradley Smith Yamaha M1 2:00.804 0.805 0.014
10 44 Pol Espargaro Yamaha M1 2:01.032 1.033 0.228
11 29 Andrea Iannone Ducati GP14 2:01.198 1.199 0.166
12 14 Randy De Puniet Suzuki Test 2:01.430 1.431 0.232
13 68 Yonny Hernandez Ducati GP13 Open 2:01.497 1.498 0.067
14 5 Colin Edwards Yamaha FTR Open 2:01.748 1.749 0.251
15 69 Nicky Hayden Honda RCV1000R Open 2:01.924 1.925 0.176
16 51 Michele Pirro Ducati GP14 Test 2:02.029 2.030 0.105
17 7 Hiroshi Aoyama Honda RCV1000R Open 2:02.070 2.071 0.041
18 45 Scott Redding Honda RCV1000R Open 2:02.228 2.229 0.158
19 8 Hector Barbera Avintia Kawasaki 2:02.341 2.342 0.113
20 89 Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha M1 Test 2:03.115 3.116 0.774
21 63 Mike Di Meglio Avintia Kawasaki 2:03.499 3.500 0.384
22 17 Karel Abraham Honda RCV1000R Open 2:04.304 4.305 0.805
23 9 Nobu Aoki Suzuki Test 2:06.482 6.483 2.178

 

Overall times after three days:

Pos No Rider Bike Time Diff Diff previous
1 46 Valentino Rossi Yamaha M1 1:59.999    
2 26 Dani Pedrosa Honda RC213V 1:59.999 0.000 0.000
3 4 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati GP14 2:00.067 0.068 0.068
4 41 Aleix Espargaro Yamaha FTR Open 2:00.101 0.102 0.034
5 6 Stefan Bradl Honda RC213V 2:00.164 0.165 0.063
6 19 Alvaro Bautista Honda RC213V 2:00.506 0.507 0.342
7 99 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha M1 2:00.619 0.620 0.113
8 35 Cal Crutchlow Ducati GP14 2:00.790 0.791 0.171
9 38 Bradley Smith Yamaha M1 2:00.804 0.805 0.014
10 44 Pol Espargaro Yamaha M1 2:00.999 1.000 0.195
11 29 Andrea Iannone Ducati GP14 2:01.173 1.174 0.174
12 14 Randy De Puniet Suzuki Test 2:01.430 1.431 0.257
13 68 Yonny Hernandez Ducati GP13 Open 2:01.497 1.498 0.067
14 5 Colin Edwards Yamaha FTR Open 2:01.748 1.749 0.251
15 69 Nicky Hayden Honda RCV1000R Open 2:01.924 1.925 0.176
16 51 Michele Pirro Ducati GP14 Test 2:02.029 2.030 0.105
17 7 Hiroshi Aoyama Honda RCV1000R Open 2:02.070 2.071 0.041
18 8 Hector Barbera Avintia Kawasaki 2:02.149 2.150 0.079
19 45 Scott Redding Honda RCV1000R Open 2:02.228 2.229 0.079
20 89 Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha M1 Test 2:02.802 2.803 0.574
21 63 Mike Di Meglio Avintia Kawasaki 2:03.499 3.500 0.697
22 17 Karel Abraham Honda RCV1000R Open 2:04.304 4.305 0.805
23 9 Nobu Aoki Suzuki Test 2:06.482 6.483 2.178

 

2014
MotoGP
Sepang, Malaysia
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Comments

Lorenzo must be looking forward with anxiety toward Phillip Island. It took 3 days in this test for his team to get the tires to work sort of well. If it takes as long at other circuits it could be a disaster for his season. Andrea is showing great talent and dedication in hauling the Ducati ahead of Aleix Espagaro who is brilliant on the old M1. It will be interesting to see Ducati's open class times at Phillip Island. Early days for them in what should be an aggressive season long development program. I wonder what Suzuki is making of this as their times are awfully slow now.

If you read through the lap time analysis on MotoGP.com, Lorenzos race simulation wasn't too bad, considering the troubles he has been having. His lap times on long runs are quicker and more consistent than Rossi. Pedrosa had the best times on race simulation by a tenth or two per lap on Lorenzo. A. Espargaro was reasonably quick for the first seven laps, his times drop off dramatically after that.

All in all, the fastest lap times are quite deceiving at this test. Lorenzo and Pedrosa are quickest on race simulation, after those two it seems A. Espargaro and Dovi are the only real surprises.

Valentino's positive demeanour belies his inconsistent lap times on the long run. Hopefully he is able to sort it out before Qatar.

Unfortunately we don't have the Yard Stick (ie Marc Marquez) here for this test or Phillip Island. Hopefully he's at full fitness by Qatar.

Rossi's race simulation looked slow and inconsistent because he had unexpected issues with the front end. So hopefully it's just a defective front tire.

"I started with a simulation and had a very good pace so I expected to do a good run, but I had a problem with the front tyre... I don't know if it was a particular problem with the tyre, or if it was the full tank and higher temperature, but the front pushed very much and I was slow and I decided to stop.” - Rossi

JL99 problem reminds me when Honda had a similar problem back in 2012 with the bike experiencing chatter and it took some time to HRC to find a workaround but in the process they lost points to Yamaha. Now it seems that VR46 can brake the way he likes and JL99 is struggling. Can't wait to the start of the season.

A few notes:

1. VR46 cracked the 2min barrier.
2. AE41 IS a contender, hovering around the 2:00's.
3. Dovi is 3rd.
4. Nicky a bit slower.
5. Suzuki has potential (2:01.4) but needs more development.

Now that Ducati are a declared 'Open' class team, is Philip Island the first time the Honda toys come out of the pram?
Love the Ducati software now being the open class standard, nice move! Interesting times ahead as they finally look like starting to modify the bike to bring some consistency to the performance.
Lorenzo interview was quite candid, new tyres don't work for him at all, everyone will be doing the Marquez riding technique soon...

I doubt Rossi would have topped the timesheets if MM was there, but nevertheless if he can get amongst it this year, it will make the racing more interesting than the usual three. He often tends to attack late so that could mean some spectacle at the finishes too.

I somehow also doubt that Lorenzo will be that far down either, but; his team will surely be worried and looking for answers. As we've seen often before, not easy for a rider to change their style to suit what they don't like.

If Yam are relying on Rossi to make a title challenge, I think they will be out of luck. I wouldn't mind seeing some VR/MM/JL races though.

Still, the reason we watch is that you never know, we might even get others up the front, can't wait for the racing to start!

Valentino Rossi goes quicker than he ever has in his 19 year career around Sepang and yet he still gets heckled from the cheap seats. With tire problems and still posts the fastest time? I think the only way the peanut gallery will be satisfied is if he wins every race of the season. He deserves his seat, crew chief is working out, and he is still fast and one of the greats. To be this fast so late in his career shows why he has more MotoGp wins than anyone in the history of the sport.

Way to go Ducati. Hopefully open rules for everybody soon.

Bricktop it's good that you adore Rossi so much but such vigorous defence of your hero seems a bit out of place. Nobody is attacking Rossi in the way you describe, just saying maybe his race pace isn't as goods best time suggests..

As David Emmett reported, testing is about setting up your bike, getting the fastest time is secondary, for bragging rights. It doesn't matter if VR only gets a few podiums, if he sees a motivating season, as mentioned, he might not retire. THIS is the best news for MotoGP, as a large number of the fan base wear bright yellow.

I know I know, but it has to be said. If these test sessions are the way things are going to be for Jorge this year then maybe Honda might have a chance at acquiring his talents. The open yamaha does not seem bad at all and Jorge I believe have mentioned before he would like to stay with the yamaha outfit during his motogp career. BUT having already won two championships and great finishes and basically knowing you have ridden the yamaha to its limits on any given Sunday, one might think he would want to try something else. Riding for Honda has to be a major step forward in a racers career. To have them want you as their rider and knowing how coveted that seat is especially with the history behind the team I am sure it will make him think three times about it.
Well, let's see. Even though the RSV may not suit his style of riding I personally would like to see a mature Jorge on a Honda.

I certainly do not expect Lorenzo to be that far back for long. However, taking into account that his former winning edge works best (like Pedrosa's) from the front, and that he will be losing points while he accommodates his style and the crew adjusts, we have the ingredients for a much more interesting season.
Add the potential of the Espargaros to derail the usual train, and Dovi to show a wheel here and there ... and that just leaves Marquez to be the spoiler.

I wouldn't get too carried away with the times Espargaro has been putting in.

Pedrosa did a long run with all of the laps about the low/mid 2:01 mark with a best of 2:00.985 and Espargaro's not-quite-as-long run had his lap times dropping off fairly steadily with his 14th lap almost a whole second off the pace of his first. I think he'd have been lucky to have managaed a top six finish in a race.

Annoyingly, #46 didn't do a run of more than six or seven laps on the last day so we can't really measure him up against Dani but I think it would have been a decent bet on Rossi taking the win if they'd been racing today.

This tests showed a lot of things. But what I looked at was the fact that Rossi can finally take a fastest time again. The fact is last year he was having problems being the fastest on any level. Hopefully they have found something to allow him to get back to winning or competing in a real way for the win on a regular basis. Jorge is just working out the kinks. I do not believe for a minute that he is down and out. He has shown that he will find a way too many times against Honda with Stoner and Marquez when they look to be unstoppable. (Will not count Pedrosa because he takes himself out the picture too much.)

Glad to see and hear Ducati is going Open. That is the best move for them. Gives them more room to develop and get ahead of the group that is going to move over to Open class in the coming years.

Aleix is impressing me, but not surprised because of the way he rode the wheels off of that Aprilia last year. He has more talent and drive than most of the riders in the field. Him on a decent bike doing good times is not a surprise. Waiting to see how well he does this year. All this pre-season stuff has my ravenous for the season to start. Once again, can't wait!

Rossi's issue last year, all year, was braking. If the bike doesn't allow to brake how he wants the wins will be difficult. Braking has been the key to his entire career and one of his strong points. To compete with these guys, just as to compete in 2004, he needs the bike setup for his riding style. He makes great lap times when the front of the end bike works as he wants. They think they've got that sorted out for 2014 but we'll see. They fixed it last year for a few tracks that it worked at, and he bagged a win and some podiums but that was a rigged setup instead of proper and Jorge was out.