Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1351189
VOLUME 58 ISSUE 11 MARCH 16, 2021 P133 in the desert, and is not quite finished as this column goes to bed on day five, however, it was pleasing to see Jack Miller on the top of the times, challenged strongly by the Yamahas, with both Vinales and Quartararo having a spell at the top. The process of testing is obviously vital for riders getting their lock- down-sluggish reflexes back up to speed, and for engineers in assessing the merit or otherwise of the limited development al- lowed midway through a two- year engine freeze. It is of less value to us fans, being simultaneously fascinat- ing and dull. It means so much, and so little. Especially in cur- rent circumstances, where the only major innovation is a so-far unexplained aero-bulge on the lower flanks of the factory Ducati fairings. Given the Italian innova- tors' penchant for misdirection and plain mischief, perhaps one suggestion that it might be part two of the under-seat sandwich box, a compartment to keep a thermos of espresso warm, was not entirely facetious. Actually, it wasn't quite the only thing. Another innovation cuts right across all factories, with a refinement of the chassis shape-shifting, which lowers the center of gravity for launching off the line. Last year, triggered (of course) by Ducati's sit-down- rear device, all factories except KTM essayed systems that temporarily compressed front or rear suspension for start. That has gone further. These Qatar tests demonstrated that all the factories now have systems that compress both ends of the bike. This of course nullifies any advantage, by ensuring that all have the same capability. Lap times and race averages will improve across the board. Such is the nature of develop- ment, and likewise the evolution of the breed. Though it is hard to see much value in this for street riders. Unless we're all going to be buckling down the springs for every traffic-light grand prix. Covid has taught us much about the whole concept of test- ing. We've had brain-ticklers and mouth-swabs, temperature read- ings and rapid lateral flows, etc. And any number of false posi- tives. Recent history suggests MotoGP's first false positive was Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro on top for the first real day of fast times, and thereafter staying in touch with Quartararo's Yamaha and Miller's Duke. Welcome, but not yet completely convincing. Past two-stroke glories notwith- standing, Aprilia has been Mo- toGP's poor relation since the loud but treacherous 990cc three-cyl- inder Cube of 2002. This second all-new bike in two years might have the potential to change that, but surely not in its first outing. After all, the 2020 Aprilia showed well in first tests but slumped dur- ing the season. And with just one strong rider (teammate Savadori is a class rookie), can the necessary development be pushed forward as required? And yet. Much remains in the realms of pure speculation. What we can grab hold of is the sight of a handful of riders in new colors. And not just Quartararo's scary prematurely yellow hair. And that lap times are really, really fast, and really close. Honda's new guy Pol Espargaro has adapted quickly to the RCV; most of the rookies are looking good, especially Bastianini and Martin; KTM's refreshed lineup is also strong. So, it looks very much like a good and unpredictable season to come. Now it's down to the retreat of the pandemic to allow it all to go ahead as planned. CN "Much remains in the realms of pure speculation. What we can grab hold of is the sight of a handful of riders in new colors. And not just Quartararo's scary prematurely yellow hair"