Valencia Hosts Post Season
MotoGP Testing
J
ust two days after the dramatic
conclusion of the 2022 Mo-
toGP season, we were offered
a glimpse at what 2023 could
hold in store. On this evidence,
the status quo won't be changing
anytime soon, with all three of the
European manufacturers show-
ing well, while the two remaining
Japanese factories were left with
work to do.
Ducati had reason to be hap-
piest of all as Luca Marini topped
the timesheets with a 1:30.032,
two tenths quicker than Aprilia's
Maverick Vinales. The Italian,
who will remain on a Desmosedi-
ci GP22 next year, had nothing
new to try, other than welcoming
a handful of new members to
his garage, including a new data
technician from Suzuki.
Factory runners Pecco Ba-
gnaia and new boy Enea Bas-
tianini were content with what the
Bologna engineers had brought,
with a new engine and revised
aerodynamics the priority.
"We had an evolution not a rev-
olution," said recently crowned
champion Bagnaia. "Sincerely,
I'm happy with everything. I'm
positive with the new engine, that
is smooth and is working well. It
was the first time on track, and it
already looks good. The new fair-
ing, front fairing, I was feeling the
wind on the straight more, but
apart from that, the handling was
an improvement, so I feel that's
great with it."
While Aprilia showed well at
the test—Aleix Espargaro backed
up teammate Vinales with the
fifth-fastest time, a place behind
IN
THE
WIND
P24
New World Champion
Francesco Bagnaia is
already happy with his
new Ducati, which isn't a
good sign for his rivals.
