Welcome to the beta version of the new Women & Golf website. Our web monkeys are still hard at work and welcome your feedback.  

Advertisement

Yamaha to make decision on 2016 MotoGP chassis at Phillip Island test

Yamaha bosses will make a decision over which chassis they will use for the 2016 MotoGP season after three days of testing at Phillip Island with both Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi looking set to choose a modified version of last year’s M1 frame.

Rossi has been very vocal on the matter, saying that because Michelin made such a step with their tyres, the radical geometry of the 2016 bike is no longer necessary.

“As the test in Sepang was influenced by the weather and by some accidents on track, luckily with no injuries to the riders, we could not actually complete our testing program. Yet it was a very positive and advantageous test in terms of performance and the information we were able to collect. Since the test in Valencia, in November 2015, we have made solid progress with both the electronics of the bike and effective use of the new Michelin tyres thanks to our engineers,” said team director Maio Meregalli.

Advertisement

“From this point of view, Michelin brought excellent new materials in Sepang and they made a big step forward especially with the front tyre, with which we had some issues last year. We left Malaysia with two major question marks, the first being the direction of the development of the chassis – confirm the 2015 or go for the 2016 new one – and the second being the race simulation, because we preferred to skip it and test other things due to the limited time on track.

“As for the coming test in Phillip Island, we’ll focus from the very beginning on the decision on the chassis to start the season with. Then we’ll continue to fine-tune the bike to the new software. I also expect Michelin to bring new compounds to test, especially because Phillip Island is very demanding for the tyres, mainly on the left side.

“It would be too hazardous to make judgments after one test only, but I feel I can say we did a really good job in winter. Now we are looking forward to confirming this during the test in Phillip Island, which is a very different track compared to Sepang, in order to further establish the direction of our development.”

Articles you may like

Advertisement

More MotoGP

Advertisement
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram