Red Bull KTM’s Bo Bendsneyder topped the Valencia Moto3 test timesheets today with a best of 1’39.756 while team-mate Niccolo Antonelli did ten laps less than his Dutch teammate to end the day with a best of 1’40.280.
"The test went well. We had already tested the new bike in the test last year, so we were a little more prepared. The feeling is very good with this bike; the chassis allows for a smoother riding style and I think it suits my way of riding a bit more. I like it very much,” said Bendsneyder.
“We tried many things today and at the end of the day we had some problems that we were able to solve. We have set quite good times, so I’m happy. In the afternoon, as the temperature lowered, we tried to set a fast lap time but it was getting harder every time, even with new tyres. However, the pace was very good."
EG0,0 pairing Enea Bastianini and Aron Canet both did over 60 laps, with ex-rookie Canet just besting his new Italian teammate as the ‘Beast’ focused on rhythm more than one-lap pace. The Spaniard’s best was a 1’39.807 to go second quickest, with the Italian setting a 1’40.826.
Romano Fenati had minimal tracktime on day one as the Italian settles back into life in Moto3, but the Marinelli Rivacold Snipers rider got back in business today as he starts gearing up for a title charge, putting in more than 50 laps with a best of 1’40.106 late in the day to go third.
Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3 duo Jorge Martin and Fabio Di Giannantonio were also out on track after limited running yesterday, with Martin fourth fastest overall after over 60 laps. ‘Diggia’ ended the day sixth fastest after more than 40 laps, but did suffer a crash. The Italian and 2016 Rookie of the Year contender may have sustained an injury, with another update when available.
The new British Talent Team setup with John McPhee broke cover once again, with the Scot stating his pre-season so far is the best ever – despite only recently returning to training following a long period of recovery from his crash at Phillip Island last year. The Brit suffered one small crash with no consequence and put in a good day of track time as he readies himself for 2017 and gets back in the Moto3 groove, with competitive laptimes.
Honda Team Asia’s Nakarin Atiratphuvapat and Kaito Toba were also out on track as they prepare for their move up to the Moto3™ World Championship. SIC58 Squadra Corse – a team debutante in Moto3 - also had riders Tony Arbolino and Tatsuki Suzuki out on track for their first session of the year, with laptimes close for both riders as they slotted impressively into P5 and P6.
RBA Racing Team were also present with Juanfran Guevara and Gabriel Rodrigo, but didn’t set laps on the official timesheets on either of the private test days at the track.
