Ducati have dominated the opening day of MotoGP testing at the Red Bull Ring with Andrea Dovizioso setting the fastest time ahead of team-mate Andrea Iannone, Britain’s Scott Redding and the factory superstar test rider Casey Stoner in fourth, just three-quarters of a second off the pace.
Iannone began the test with a new frame, the same version Dovizioso had used at the Sachsenring. They were joined on track by Stoner, who was using the same spec of bike to help gather data.
Ecstar Suzuki began the test looking to get up to speed on the track and searching for a setting to use during the race weekend. Once they are happy with their progress Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales will work with the electronics.
For the first time since launching their MotoGP™ project, KTM were on track alongside the established order. Mika Kallio and Tom Luthi were aboard the two RC16s at the test and are looking to use the test to gauge their current development progress.
Neither of Aprilia’s official riders were at the circuit, Sam Lowes getting his second taste of the RS-GP alongside test rider Mike Di Meglio. The Noale based factory chose not to run transponders while getting to know the Red Bull Ring.
The Octo Pramac Yakhnich team were amongst the first out on track, looking to understand the demands of the 4.3km long Red Bull Ring.
Cal Crutchlow focused his attentions on helping Michelin to assess the tyres while doing further work on electronics for Honda.
Eugene Laverty and Yonny Hernandez used the first day of testing to familiarise themselves with the circuit and waiting to see if Ducati will have further parts for them to test.
Avintia Racing duo Hector Barbera will be hoping to repeat his great performance from Germany after the summer break and is using the test to get a head start on set up. For his teammate Loris Baz (Avintia Racing) the two days give him the chance to get comfortable on the GP14.2 after his injury.