MotoGP: Repsol Honda Pre-Season Day Two Test Report – Qatar

Repsol Honda Press Release:

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa have completed a productive second day at the Qatar pre-season test.

With more rubber laid down after yesterday’s action, track conditions improved today and the final times were very close with less than a second separating 1st and 14th. Marc spent the day working on general setup on his RC213V machine and Dani tested a new front fork as well as various other settings.

The top time was traded amongst a few riders and despite breaking the circuit lap record with his time of 1’55.091 on lap 27 of 54 (beating Stoner’s time from 2008 of 1’55.153), Marc had to settle for the 2nd spot on the timing sheets behind Dovizioso. Teammate Dani finished in 6th place with his time of 1’55.582 (lap 22 of 40).

The test concludes today and will signal the end of the 2015 pre-season.

Marc Marquez #93

2nd 1’55.091 (54 laps)

“I’m happy that we improved our fastest lap, but above all I’m pleased with our overall pace, which is the most important thing. We have also gained confidence with the front end – thanks to a change to the geometry – which was something we had been finding difficult at this circuit. Tomorrow we will continue our program, focusing on the rear in order to see if we can find more grip, but the overall verdict is positive so far and I feel confident.”

Dani Pedrosa #26

6th 1’55.582 (40 laps)

“Today we were able to improve our pace, put in some good laps and be more consistent, which is positive. We also worked on the front end of the bike with a new fork, trying to improve the feeling and corner entry. Tomorrow we will work on the rear, to see if we can find a bit more grip. That is an important factor at this track, because you spent a lot of time leaned over and I’m sure that any improvement would be notable.”

Results:

1     DOVIZIOSO Andrea     4     ITA     Ducati Team     Ducati     1’54.907

2     MARQUEZ Marc     93     SPA     Repsol Honda Team     Honda     1’55.091

3     IANNONE Andrea     29     ITA     Ducati Team     Ducati     1’55.104

4     LORENZO Jorge     99     SPA     Movistar Yamaha MotoGP     Yamaha     1’55.500

5     ROSSI Valentino     46     ITA     Movistar Yamaha MotoGP     Yamaha     1’55.581

6     PEDROSA Dani     26     SPA     Repsol Honda Team     Honda     1’55.582

7     CRUTCHLOW Cal     35     GBR     CWM LCR Honda     Honda     1’55.624

8     SMITH Bradley     38     GBR     Monster Yamaha Tech 3     Yamaha     1’55.648

9     ESPARGARO Pol     44     SPA     Monster Yamaha Tech 3     Yamaha     1’55.658

10     ABRAHAM Karel     17     CZE     AB Motoracing     Honda     1’55.765

11     HERNANDEZ Yonny     68     COL     Pramac Racing     Ducati     1’55.772

12     ESPARGARO Aleix     41     SPA     Team Suzuki Ecstar     Suzuki     1’55.795

13     REDDING Scott     45     GBR     Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS     Honda     1’55.803

14     VINALES Maverick     25     SPA     Team Suzuki Ecstar     Suzuki     1’55.810

15     BARBERA Hector     8     SPA     Avintia Racing     Ducati     1’56.058

16     HAYDEN Nicky     69     USA     Drive M7 Aspar     Honda     1’56.104

17     DI MEGLIO Mike     63     FRA     Avintia Racing     Ducati     1’56.259

18     LAVERTY Eugene     50     IRE     Drive M7 Aspar     Honda     1’56.342

19     PIRRO Michele     51     ITA     Ducati Team     Ducati     1’56.476

20     BRADL Stefan     6     GER     Athina Forward Racing     Forward Yamaha     1’56.724