Moto2
Moto2 testing continued at Jerez on Sunday but after a damp start to the day, conditions then worsened further in the middle of testing after a midday downpour – putting paid to any improved laptimes. That means Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) remains quickest after his Saturday best, followed by Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) and Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), but it’s Steven Odendaal (NTS RW Racing GP) who mastered Sunday.
The South African put in a 1’46.704 to top the third day, getting ahead of MV Agusta Forward Racing’s veteran Dominique Aegerter by a couple of tenths as the Italian marque had a good showing in the wet on their return to the Grand Prix paddock. It was EG 0,0 Marc VDS pairing of Alex Marquez and Xavi Vierge who did the most laps in the tougher conditions, however – a good few more of the next most prolific at the test, Xavier Cardelus (Angel Nieto Team). Cardelus ended the day third quickest, just ahead of rookie Fabio Di Giannantonio (Speed Up Racing). Dimas Ekky Pratama (Honda Team Asia), Lukas Tulovic (Kiefer Racing) and Marco Bezzecchi (Red Bull KTM Tech3) were next up, with Philipp Öttl (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Vierge and Andrea Locatelli (Italtrans Racing Team) completing the top ten on Sunday.
Now it’s winter break time for the intermediate class, with the new era of Triumph power next firing up for an Official Test on the 20th-22nd February at Jerez.
MotoE
Like Moto2, the MotoE grid had a final day of testing in Jerez to continue getting to grips with the Energica Ego Corsa. But the weather conditions didn’t make it easy, with a damp track in the morning then getting a downpour mid-way through the day. Given the conditions, no one was able to better laptimes from the day before, so Bradley Smith (One Energy Racing) retains his best time in the combined standings, thanks to his 1’50.265 he put in on Saturday morning, when three-tenths separated him from his closest rival Niki Tuuli (Ajo Motorsport MotoE). Mike Di Meglio (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) and Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) were in third and fourth place, ahead of Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE).
On Sunday in the more difficult conditions, however, it was Mike Di Meglio who took to the top. The Frenchman took first late in the day with a 1’52.160, seeing him pull ahead of another solid day for Smith by a little over a tenth. The Briton therefore ended Day 2 second overall, ahead of Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) and Randy De Puniet (LCR E-Team). Josh Hook (Alma Pramac Racing) took, ahead of fifth Lorenzo Savadori (Trentino Gresini MotoE) and Kenny Foray (Tech3 E-Racing).
Marvin Fritz (Dynavolt Intact GP), who took over testing duty for the team from Jesko Raffin on Saturday so that the Siss rider could participate in the final round of FIM CEV Repsol Moto2 European Championship, Sete Gibernau (Pons Racing) and Nico Terol (Ángel Nieto Team) completed the top ten on Day 3.
The next MotoE Official Test will take place on the 13th, 14th and 15th of March in Jerez – which also hosts the first ever round of the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup next season.
By MotoGP