MotoGP: Qatar Test Day 1 Round Up

The second and final test for the 2020 MotoGP pre-season got underway today at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, the venue of course that will kick off the 2020 season in just under 2 weeks. The final test will prove crucial as this will be the final chance for teams to test aerodynamics and engines freely before having to decide what they will use for FP1 on the opening night.

As the the lights went out teams were hesitant to enter the circuit, mainly due to the session starting in the middle of the afternoon and of course the race starts in the evening. This means the data collected in daylight hours would be less relevant for the opening round.

Ducati tested a new version of their hole shot device which allows the rider to lower the rear suspension coming out of corners as well as on the start. Effectively helping traction out of a corner and giving more stability at high speed, of course when asked by motogp.com Davide Tardozzi was very evasive to answer.

Yamaha made yet more positive progress with Maverick Vinales finishing the day 3rd fastest and Valentino Rossi 7th, but noticeably good top speed by all Yamaha’s in he speed trap. Mid way through the day Rossi clocked 339.6 KPH the exact same speed as Marc Marquez’s Honda, but still slightly off of the Ducati top speeds.

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Rossi commented; “It is a positive day because we confirmed what we saw in Sepang. At the end I finished in P7 but throughout the day I was quite constant and had a good pace. So, we are very happy because it looks like the bike is improving compared to last year and the first test. We work well in the box, and we were able to improve. For the fight for the victory I need a little bit more, two or three tenths in the hot lap, but also in terms of pace. Some riders are a little bit faster than me, so we have to work. But it’s just the first day, and we are already faster than last year. We have a positive feeling with the bike.”

At the end I finished P7 but throughout the day I was quiet consistent and had a good pace. So we are very happy because it looks like the bike is improving to last year and the first test .

It would be Ecstar Suzuki who would steal the headlines on day one with Alex Rins and Joan Mir  among it 1-2 at the top of the time sheets. With both riders seemingly comfortable on the 2020 GSX-RR machine.

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Alex Rins said “We tried a lot of things today, and I have a good feeling, at the end we tried a time attack and it went well”

Team mate Joan Mir was also positive saying “I’m quiet happy today. I felt comfortable straight away and we are working well and this is very positive”

We still have 2 days of testing remain at Qatar before the season begins on the 8th of March.