Francesco Bagnaia described his first experience on a MotoGP bike as ‘incredible’ after he completed nine laps of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia on the Aspar Ducati GP14.2.
The Italian rider was made a deal by his team boss after he remarked whilst sitting on Eugene Laverty’s bike that he would love a shot. The stipulation was this; if he could win two races in the Moto3 class this season he could ride the Ducati at the Valencia test. Bagnaia did just that, winning both the Dutch TT back in July and the Malaysian Grand Prix two weeks ago.
Bagnaia took to the track right at the start of the session and completed nine laps, setting a best time of 1m36.940s and a top speed of 315km/h. To the Italian’s credit, he was only six seconds off the pace at the end of the day and improved by four seconds from his first lap to his last.
With the most powerful bike he’d ridden beforehand being a Yamaha R6, Bagnaia was seriously impressed with the Ducati’s power and its braking capabilities, as well as how it corners. Though physically drained after the experience, he said he would have stayed out for the rest of the test if he’d had the choice.
“It was incredible – I have to say thanks to the Aspar Team and Ducati. I did nine laps with a best time of 1’36.940. If it was down to me I would still be out there turning laps, even though after just nine laps I am drained because it is very physically demanding.
“I had a look at the bike last night and I was looking forward to getting out on track. I woke up this morning at 5am and started thinking about the test. Luckily I had already spoken to Valentino Rossi before I came to Valencia to know how to ride the first few laps. That was useful, especially with regard to the braking.
“The thing that impressed me most about the MotoGP bike is the acceleration and the braking. It is scary because it feels like the whole world is stopping around you. Compared with the Moto3 bike you have to be really careful getting this one stopped because you don’t need as much brake pressure. Also, when you open the gas it is impressive. In Moto3 you have time to do everything but here you open the gas and it’s time to brake. It is incredible how it brakes, how it turns and the feeling from the front end…”
Bagnaia will now head to Jerez to take part in a Moto2 test on a Kalex chassis tomorrow as he gears up for his intermediate class debut next season. The Italian will spearhead the Sky Racing VR46 team’s step up to the Moto2 World Championship alongside Stefan Manzi in 2017.
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