The MotoGP field returned to action at Phillip Island today as the second pre-season test of the year got under way, with Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez topping the time sheets.
After a difficult opening test in Sepang two weeks ago, in which Honda struggled to get the electronics to work properly with the latest version of their ‘big-bang’ engine, the first day of running in Australia proved positive for the Japanese manufacturer.
Marquez ended the day nearly two tenths clear of the field on a 1m29.497s as he continued to evaluate various engine specifications. Honda are hoping to make a final decision on their 2017 engine at the end of this test. Team-mate Dani Pedrosa was seventh quickest, with LCR’s Cal Crutchlow sixth and Marc VDS’ Jack Miller ninth.
Yamaha continued to compare chassis and bodywork after unveiling evolutions in both areas in Malaysia. Valentino Rossi enjoyed a productive day on his YZR-M1, completing 77 laps in total and ending the session second. Maverick Vinales was a couple of tenths adrift of the nine-times world champion in fourth having completed 64 laps today.
Suzuki continue to look strong in the pre-season as Andrea Iannone took his GSX-RR to third in the standings. The Japanese manufacturer has brought two 2017 bikes for both the Italian rider and Alex Rins to test. Incidentally, Rins ended the day down in 19th having focussed on race simulations.
Danilo Petrucci and the Pramac Racing squad had a tough time of things in Sepang, but seemed to be running well today in Australia. The Italian has two GP17s at his disposal this time, and hammered in the miles on them. Completing a grand total of 87 laps, Petrucci ended the day sixth fastest on a 1m30.262s.
Andrea Dovizioso was top Ducati on day one down in eighth, as the Italian marque continued to evaluate the GP17 with a revised tail unit. Team-mate Jorge Lorenzo put in 61 laps on his Desmosedici in 11th, and will be looking to further adapt his riding style to the bike this week having encountered problems at Sepang.
Monster Tech 3 Yamaha’s Jonas Folger rounded out the top 10, with his team-mate Johann Zarco 15th. Aspar Ducati’s Alvaro Bautista brushed off an early fall at Siberia to end the day 12th, with Reale Esponsorama Racing’s Hector Barbera and Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro completing the top 15.
Aprilia are expected to debut their radical fairing design at some point this week, opting against doing so today in order to find a strong base set-up for comparison when they do. Sam Lowes only completed 35 laps today after a crash at Siberia. Unharmed in the incident, Lowes, who is still using the 2016 RS-GP, ended the day down in 21st. KTM’s Bradley Smith brought up the rear of the field on a 1m32.690s.
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