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/1494803
tory riders declared themselves "ready to race—I feel better here than Malaysia, sincerely," said Espargaro. Now to wait on his medical tests. Yamaha The big story on Sunday. The outlook was bleak for the Iwata factory at the close of the first day. Quartararo had finally broached the top 10, but still found himself some eight-tenths in arrears. What was of greater concern was his assessment of the new M1's behavior. Asked what the greatest problem was, the 23-year-old answered, "Everything. Not just the braking. I mean, corner speed, stability, exit of the corners. And also, it's difficult how to use a new tire." Yet a crucial switch to last year's aero package at the begin - ning on Sunday led to immediate improvements. Suddenly the ex-champ was contesting the lead positions again, ending up just three-tenths of a second off the top. And a 12-lap Sprint simulation had him contesting a hypothetical podium. With the greater top speed available, he believes he can fight in a pack, rather than be a sitting duck. "I feel at one with the bike," he said. But it wasn't all rosy. The results made for grim reading for Franco Morbidelli in 19th. KTM A week before the test, KTM Sporting Director Pit Beirer asserted his men were well on track to fulfill lofty top-three expectations this year. But there was little evidence of that here. Rear grip remains the new RC16's supreme deficiency. It's a problem that affects all aspects of performance, particularly corner entry and exit. "We're just missing a bit of natural grab from the rear tire," said Binder. "Already peeling into the corner, it wants to come around. And then you go for the gas, but it's already slipping. You keep slid - ing the whole time." There were signs of progress on Sunday as the South African set the ninth fastest time after a respectable Sprint simulation. But progress was stunted by a huge turn seven get-off on Sun - day afternoon. A black-eyed and probably concussed Binder later said, "This whole off-season has been a little bit tricky for us. Everything's new, so we need to start figuring out where to start and which part is touching what we need." Jack Miller improved his time on the final day by a full second to finish 17th. Honda There can be no shying away from the predicament in which Honda currently finds itself. New parts—mainly a new chassis and some aerodynamics up - dates—were quickly discarded by Marquez. A new clutch, believed to aid engine braking, led to a series of practice starts the Catalan described as "dan - gerous." And throttle connection and power delivery were also issues across the two days, with Marquez and Joan Mir (Repsol Honda) the second and fourth slowest riders through the track's undulating final sector. Yet once Marquez got down to the job of refining setup on the final day, he wasn't a mil - lion miles away. Improving acceleration is a requisite. And the eight-time champion's stark assessment that they trailed Ducati to the tune of five-tenths of a second per lap at the close of day one was reflected in his Sprint simulation on Sunday. But it's believed the 30-year-old was holding something back late on. Bagnaia expects the number-93 to be running with him before long. Neil Morrison VOLUME ISSUE MARCH , P35 Marc Marquez and Honda have much work to do. A bit like last year, really.