Here are a few more rider quotes from today’s second day of testing at Sepang.
Strangely enough the Ducati factory team has yet to release a single press release, despite the fact that Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso are talking about their test and they finished today in 9th and 10 respectively, definitely faster than yesterday but still behind a MotoGP rookie like Bradley Smith and as everyone keeps repeating a transitio year.
Cal Crutchlow – 5th “Today I mainly looked at improving the bike on corner entry and one setting was an improvement but we lost a bit of turning performance.
This track has some severe braking points, particularly going into the first and last corner where you arrive in the braking zone while flat-out in sixth gear.
We need to keep the rear tyre more on the floor at corner entry, so it was good to try and get more rear grip to help me enter the corner without the rear sliding too much.
I’ve still got a few tenths to find but it seems on used tyres I’m around the same pace as Valentino and that’s positive but I still feel a little bit rusty after the winter lay-off.
Another key target for this test is to get a good understanding with my new Japanese engineer from Yamaha.
He worked with Andrea (Dovizioso) last year and we just need time to understand how he works.
We are working closely together and I am looking forward to his input this season.
”Stefan Bradl – 6th“This morning I took the track later than the others due to some sleeping issues.
Unfortunately I could not sleep properly last night and I started my daily testing program a bit later but it was still a productive day for us.
Once I joined the track I could immediately set an acceptable lap time and we proceeded with our rear suspension settings for the major part of the day.
After that we decided to go for a 15-lap long run to check my average speed on a longer distance aboard this new bike before the rain interrupted our TO DO list”.
Alvaro Bautista- 7thIt’s been a day during which we did a lot of work.
We worked mainly on trying to improve the setting of yesterday, speaking of the geometry of the frame because this bike is very different compared to that of last year.
In practice all morning we devoted to finding a better setting, but we could not find what I wanted.
In the afternoon we tried new brakes that we were very satisfied with and when we planned to do some tests of suspension the rain came to ruin everything.
However, we did some laps on a wet track, but the conditions were not optimal.
Hopefully, tomorrow we have time to complete the work of this first test session of the year.
Bradley Smith – 8th “Today’s performance and the final lap times makes me feel really happy but I am not going to get carried away.
I am happy with the job I have done and to be so fast on such a long and technical track is great for my confidence.
But I know reducing the gap to the leading group will be very difficult.
There’s still a long way to go but it is nice to be so m uch faster than yesterday and to see some real progress.
A lot of it is down to trusting the bike and having the confidence to ride it to the absolute limit to get the best out of it.
I’m not at that point yet but each time I go out I get a better feeling.
The great thing with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team is they make me feel calm and concentrated and they give me a focus to work on my technique out on track.
The lap times are coming from the work we are trying to improve in key areas.
It never feels easy on these bikes and you don’t get time to rest, but when it becomes more like your friend then you start making steps forward.
The team gives me a plan and an area to work on and I try to implement it on track.
”Ben Spies 12th“”Today I was able to ride a little bit trying to do it in the best way possible without exaggeration and without forcing the shoulder, and I am happy to have found a better feeling.
This afternoon I was ready to complete some more laps but unfortunately it started to rain.
I hope to be able to continue my research tomorrow Andrea Iannone – 15th“It may seem strange but I’m happy, our goal now is to improve day by day, even though we have completed a few laps, we have improved our pace in comparison with yesterday about 1.
5 seconds.
We are approaching the two top drivers of the Scuderia Ducati and it is our first aim.
At the moment everything is working well, you have to be patient and smart and work for the future and not for immediate results.
I thank the team, the mechanics for all the support you are giving us.
”Aleix Espargaró – 16th“Today we again started very early, at 10am sharp.
I am happy, because the new chassis works very well.
My first stint of the day was undertaken with the 2012 chassis, as we wanted to confirm a few things, but from the second stint onwards we used the 2013 chassis and swingarm.
My feeling increased gradually and I was able to ride faster than I did yesterday on the old bike, so I am very satisfied.
I noted a few chatters and a lack of grip on the rear tyre, but that is normal when you start working on a new bike.
On the fast corners the two bikes behave in a similar way.
In the afternoon we were hit by rain just as we were about to go out again, so we decided to bring the day to an early end.
I am happy that we were again the fastest CRT, and I hope that we can carry on in the same way.
”Randy De Puniet – 17th“Today we worked all day with the new chassis, trying out plenty of settings in order to find the best position.
We feel better with every new test, especially with the front end on corners.
Things were continually improving throughout the day and we were looking for a fast time in the afternoon, but unfortunately the rain put a stop to that.
Besides the chassis, we also worked on our clutch and with a few things that you don’t have time to try on a race weekend.
Despite the rain, I went out on track in the last hour to try and get a feel for the wet conditions.
I felt comfortable out there.
Tomorrow we will put together all the improvements that we have found over the past two days and look for a fast time with which to leave Sepang.
”Danilo Petrucci – 18th “Today we could work for the first time totally on the bike, developing both the new ECU and the chassis.
I have to thank Magneti Marelli staff for the great work that they have done, solving in a very short time the problems to the traction control and now we begin to get some good results.
Tomorrow we will continue to develope the IODA-SUTER BMW, hoping in good weather conditions”.
Karel Abraham – 22ndWe did 54 laps today, but the twelfth was my best.
I couldn´t improve and that´s the reason why I´m really unhappy.
We´re very slow in braking and I must admit that it´s my fault.
If I was able to improve braking, we would be in better position after today.
I must focus on braking, but I need bike to be more stable when braking.
That is our quest for final day.
”Bryan Staring- 27thToday I had a little pain from yesterday’s crash, but after a few laps I was able to pick up the pace.
With the engineers we worked on the geometry of the frame and we did some comparative tests on data from the last year.
I am happy to work with them, because they are very professional and I have a great help.
I also improved slightly my time from yesterday, but I think that to make a quantum leap we need another test session.
However, I am convinced and determined to do well and be ready for the start of the championship.
Lukas Pesek – 28th“Today the work was focused mainly on Danilo, but I could practice on the wet where I began to find the feeling with my new bike on those conditions.
”.
photos © Getty Images
