MOTOGP
VALENCIA POST SEASON TEST
NOVEMBER 20-21, 2018
RICARDO TORMO CIRCUIT / VALENCIA, SPAIN
P70
was pronounced a success.
MotoE
The new MotoE class also tested
over the three days at Jerez, with
ex-KTM MotoGP rider and now
Aprilia tester Bradley Smith top-
ping the combined time sheets
with a lap time of 1:50.264—some
four seconds off the Moto3
benchmark.
All riders are on identical En-
ergica bikes on Michelin tires—a
racing slick up front to help with
braking, in the absence of normal
engine braking, and a road tire at
the rear.
Smith praised the grip and the
handling, but pointed out there
was plenty for all to learn.
The top four riders were within
one second of his time, with Finn
Niki Tuuli second, then former
125 champion Mike Di Meglio
and Supersport rider Matteo
Casadei.
Ex-MotoGP rider Randy de Pu-
niet placed eighth and returned
46-year-old Sete Gibernau 14th,
out of 18 riders. CN
on," the three-times 2018 race
winner, Binder, said. "The good
thing is it is only November."
Binder added to the general
chorus of approval. "Having more
bottom power is really enjoyable.
The engine braking is different,
and it took a few laps to get used
to it. But it's definitely a good
step forward."
Moto3 Champion Jorge Martin
had been top KTM on the first
day before suffering left arm and
right foot injuries in a crash. Re-
medial surgery over the weekend
CBR600RR engine employed
since the Moto2 class was
launched in 2010.
As well as more sophisticated
electronics (although lacking
traction control and full adjust-
ability), more power over a wider
rev range and a close-ratio first
and second gears, the Triumph
engine is slimmer and lighter than
the earlier-generation Honda.
Sam Lowes was a close
second, celebrating his return to
Federal Oil Gresini colors, and
saying, "The new engine is very
nice. The character is completely
different from the Honda, so you
have to ride the bike in a different
way."
Alex Marquex (EB VDS Kalex)
was fourth, then Remy Gardner
(SAG Kalex) ahead of Baldas-
sarri.
The best rider on a differ-
ent chassis was Jorge Navarro
(Speed Up), placed sixth; the top
KTM was Brad Binder's Red Bull
Ajo bike, placed 15th at 1:42.465.
"We have some things to work
Luca Marini topped
the times at the Jerez
Moto2 test, looking
extremely comfortable
on the new Triumph-
engined Kalex.
Bradley Smith
led the way in
the new MotoE
category.
