SEPANG I
TEST REPORT
P82
fact also Stoner.
Dovi languished 15th overall,
outpaced also by Aspar Ducati
rider Yonny Hernandez; team-
mate Eugene Laverty was last,
after a painful fall on day one.
With time for the factory pair
to get to terms with the GP16,
Ducati ended up all smiles.
S U Z U K I
All smiles also at Ecstar Suzuki,
thanks to a power hike and a
seamless-shift gearbox … both
long-awaited. Maverick Vinales
and Aleix Espargaro placed a
respectable 12th and 13th over-
all, the former quicker by almost
four tenths.
Electronics remain a key, with
much to learn before the riders
can make the most of the engine
improvements, while the 2016
chassis proved short of rear grip
and vexatious to both. "I couldn't
find a proper feeling. We need
more testing," said Espargaro.
The new gearbox was only
seamless for up-shifts, but Su-
zuki have promised a full seam-
less before the season, and
possibly for the next test. In the
interim, the riders went to Japan
for wind-tunnel tests.
A fair start to year two for the
team.
A P R I L I A
Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl
did not accomplish much more
than making up the numbers,
finishing 18th and 21st respec-
tively, and at least gaining some
familiarity with the new tires and
software. But they were still on
A new gearbox
has given Suzuki
renewed optimism
for 2016, with
Vinales outpacing
teammate
Espargaro.
