The dust has only just settled on the 2016 MotoGP World Championship, and already we are preparing for next year. The first pre-season test of 2017 got underway today at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, and what an enthralling day of testing it was.
Maverick Vinales, on his Yamaha debut, topped the time sheets ahead of his nine-time world champion teammate Valentino Rossi. Just a few hundredths behind the Italian was Jorge Lorenzo, who was on blistering form on his first outing as a Ducati rider.
Honda also debuted their much talked about new engine, which now has a ‘big bang’ firing order rather than the ‘screamer’ they have been running since the 1000cc formula’s inception. Marc Marquez took the new RC213V to fourth fastest.
Andrea Iannone’s Suzuki debut was typically spectacular. The ‘Maniac’ gelled instantly with the GSX-RR and was right in the thick of it before he crashed at Turn 10. Unharmed and able to return to track, the Italian ended the day seventh.
Six new faces took to the track today. Sam Lowes climbed aboard the RS-GP Aprilia for the first time since the summer, whilst reigning Moto2 World Champion Johann Zarco and teammate Jonas Folger enjoyed their first taste of the Tech 3 Yamaha YZR-M1. Alex Rins got off to a steady start on the Suzuki, as did the returning Karel Abraham at Aspar Ducati. Moto3 race winner Francesco Bagnaia also rode the Aspar GP14.2 for nine laps as a reward for winning a bet with his team.
With still one more day to go in Valencia, there is still lots to be excited about but for now enjoy some of the best images from day one.
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