VALENCIA POST-SEASON / NOVEMBER 28, 2023
RICARDO TORMO CIRCUIT / VALENCIA, SPAIN
MOTOGP I WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEST
P56
just choosing the direction for next year. One of
the main parts to improve was the start, which
we accomplished."
Teammate Aleix
Espargaro completed only 17
laps and ended the test in 22nd, the Spaniard still
in pain from his leg fracture suffered in Qatar.
Test rider Lorenzo Savadori was also in
attendance, circulating 27 times for the 23rd
fastest time.
MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA
A still ill Fabio Quartararo completed 63 laps in
Valencia to go 12th fastest, splitting his time
between testing an updated aero package, as
well as a revised engine and chassis.
"I think we got some positives today, but we
still have to change many things," Quartararo said.
"There were some big changes, especially on the
aero side. But I think the direction we took was
the right one. We made a few steps, and hopefully,
at Sepang, we can be at our 100 percent."
Valencia also saw Alex Rins' Yamaha debut,
marking the third machine the Spaniard has rid
-
den in just over a year. Rins completed 54 laps
for
19th fastest but was only 1.3 seconds off
Vinales' pace while getting used to his new bike
and evaluating primarily aero/fairing updates
although due to a contract clause with his old
VR46 Ducati team, was unable to comment.
APRILIA RACING
The Noale crew left the test delighted after Mav-
erick Vinales topped the timesheets after a mara-
thon of 86 laps, the most of any rider in the test.
Vinales tested a myriad
of parts, including
a new swingarm, seats, fuel tanks and aero
changes, but the base bike will remain the same
for 2024 as far as the engine and chassis are
concerned. Vinales' focus was on attaining more
comfort that will allow him to maintain front-
running pace over a longer distance, an area he
lacked in his winless 2023 campaign.
"I'm looking for a bike that can brake late
because I want something that's good on the
brakes but turns tight," Vinales said. "We were
Fabio Quartararo was a busy man, testing aero, engine
and chassis changes as Alex Rins settled into a rhythm.
Maverick Vinales was flying, topping the test as he tried
to squeeze more late-race pace out of the Aprilia.
