Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi toppled Marc Marquez from the top of the Brno MotoGP test timesheets late this afternoon, setting a 1’55.162 to go 0.018s faster than the reigning champion with Maverick Vinales in third place, less than two-tenths further back.
Vinales had led for most of the day, using the time to test a new aero package on the M1 as well as working on the new frame and carbon forks from Ohlins, but got dropped to second by Marquez in the middle of the afternoon. Jorge Lorenzo was briefly in the hunt before Vinales went quicker but Rossi’s final effort was enough to do the job.
Repsol Honda team-mates Marquez and Dani Pedrosa spent the day prepping for the Austrian GP, working on the electronics and different settings. Marquez did 67 laps with a best of 1’55.180. Pedrosa, fresh from his 150th podium, put in a best of 1:55.795 after 53 laps and was P7.
LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow was working to solve some issues he’d encountered during the Czech GP, before focusing heavily on getting ready for the hard braking and hard acceleration of the Austrian GP. He was sixth after 48 laps. EG 0,0 Marc VDS saw Jack Miller trying softer triple clamps, and working on settings. Tito Rabat focused more on his riding style. Rabat just beat his teammate to 12th by 0.099.
Lorenzo and the Ducati team concentrated on their radical new aero package that first appeared during the race weekend. Lorenzo kept working with it after having used it at Brno, with Andrea Dovizioso trying it out for the first time. Lorenzo was P4 with a 1:55.542 after 55 laps, Dovizioso P11 after 45 laps.
Monster Yamaha had Jonas Folger trying a different chassis and teammate Johann Zarco focusing on settings, specifically to improve corner entry. Folger did 48 laps and was eighth, Zarco 70 laps to take fifth.
Aprilia continued working with their new parts brought after summer – although Sam Lowes was forced to limit his track time after injuring his foot during the GP weekend. The Noale factory have a new engine, airbox, exhaust, gearbox and swingarm as some of their key upgrades – with lots to test. Aleix Espargaro was tenth after 51 laps, Lowes 17th after 26.
Andrea Iannone was focused on braking and getting the bike stopped, as well as trying the 2018 spec engine for the Hamamatsu factory. Rookie Alex Rins tried the chassis Iannone has had since the Catalunya Test. Iannone was ninth after 47 laps, Rins 14th after 69. Test rider Takuya Tsuda was also on track and worked on electronics.
Red Bull KTM followed up their best ever result with Pol Espargaro in the Czech GP with some preparation for their home race next time out. Espargaro was working on the chassis and on acceleration when the bike is upright – with stopping power something the Austrian factory are already happy with.
Bradley Smith’s side of the garage were trying out ways to adapt the bike more to the Brit’s riding style. Espargaro did 60 laps and was 15th, Smith 51 laps to end the day in 16th.
