Jerez test: Bagnaia gets everyone in agreement

Francesco Bagnaia was the fastest during the second day of official testing in Jerez. The Italian put on a soft tire at the right time and slipped between the gusts to set a lap in 1'36.872.

An “already perfect” Desmosedici

The Italian, who packed up during the lunch break, nevertheless declared that there was still work to be done. “I’m happy,” he stressed. I feel very good, but there is still work to do. I think Ducati has developed an already perfect bike and I am delighted with it. » In addition to a more powerful engine whose “character is completely different” compared to the previous model, Bagnaia also tested a new aerodynamic fairing “It’s good,” replied Bagnaia. But there is still work, because it is different from the old one. It will be important to choose the right one for next year. » Regarding the longer exhaust seen during the two days, the runner-up added: “My feeling is more or less the same, but I'm sure Ducati is working behind the scenes to analyze the data and see if anything has changed. exchange. » Bagnaia did not fail to mention that Ducati was going to bring lots of new things to Sepang.

Johann Zarco was also able to try the new engine, but according to him, it is impossible to assess its potential. “It’s a small circuit,” he confided. In any case, it's not worse, but it's hard to say how fast it is, because we only stay in sixth for two seconds and we're close to 300 km/h. » The Pramac rider agrees with Bagnaia that Ducati has improved an already perfect bike. “The potential is extremely good and we can still improve small things. He's been feeling so good on it for a while... the bike is already perfect, but I think it can be even healthier to sometimes erase riding errors. »

With more than 140 laps completed over the two days, the Frenchman also took the opportunity to concentrate on his driving style. “I was able to work on the braking phases, an area in which Bagnaia is very strong. I was able to try to look for things to adapt my training this winter. »  

Here are the Bologna bullets for 2022 🔥@ducaticorse has got some quick riders there! 👀# 2022Loading #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/FVQZSFTiOR

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) November 19, 2021

Yamaha lagging behind?

We laugh a little less, however, in the Yamaha clan. fabio quartararo seemed just as disappointed with his second day as he was with the first. Even though he was in second position in the day's standings, he was almost half a second behind Bagnaia. “I’m not worried,” he nevertheless confided about the Ducatis. They are fast, but we have not taken any steps forward. We tried lots of things, but I didn't feel any improvement. »

Apart from the power from which the Yamaha YZR-M1 cruelly suffers, what is the Niçois lacking? “In order, I need more power, more aerodynamic loads and more grip. » It is for this reason that the drivers of the Iwata firm took this test to evaluate different chassis and fairings, but this long-awaited new engine is still absent. “I didn’t feel any improvement,” he admitted about the new frame he tried on Friday. We are looking for more grip at the rear, but we haven't found anything very positive. »And adding about the Yamaha engineers: “They know what they need to improve on. »The message got through...

“It’s important to harness this power in the right way” – Joan Mir

Unlike Yamaha, Suzuki unveiled a new engine during these tests. Without being a revolution, this one is a little more powerful. But according to Mir, it will be crucial to exploit this power as best as possible. “There’s more power,” he said. But it is important to use this power in the right way. What we are working on. We will have to improve on aerodynamics and the squatting device to help transfer power to the ground. It seems the engine is good, but there is still work to be done. Conditions were difficult today. I'm happy with the progress we've made. » The Spaniard, who had not hidden his annoyance at the slow development of the GSX-RR, clearly felt the efforts made by Suzuki. “Something is changing in the right way,” he slipped. They are doing a good job and I hope that winter will confirm this impression. »

Honda, KTM and Aprilia continue the work

Maverick Viñales took the first RS-GP to fifth place in the hierarchy. Just like the day before, representatives from the Noale factory tested a fairing with less imposing fins and they also compared different exhausts. Note that Lorenzo Savadori, test pilot for the brand, evaluated yet another version of the aerodynamic fairing.

45 views of pain & diversion. Mañana más y mejor!!! Vamos @HRC_MotoGP!!! /// 45 laps of joy & pain. More to come tomorrow!!! Let's gooooo @HRC_MotoGP!!! #JerezTest pic.twitter.com/YY1Z3VmIjo

— Pol Espargaró (@polespargaro) November 18, 2021

At Honda, Pol Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami looked at different fairings and chassis. The Japanese was three tenths off the best time he set on Thursday. KTM, which did not give a press briefing on Friday, apparently tested a different fairing from the one released on Thursday.

On the rookie side, it’s Fabio Di Giannantonio who leads the way with number 19^e time of day 1.6 seconds from the reference. He was ahead of Raul Fernandez while Remy Gardner, reduced by a painful rib, was 22^e. Marco Bezzecchi and Darryn Binder, victims of a fall, were respectively in 24^e and 26^e Positions.

Ranking (at 17 p.m.)