Marc Marquez Sets the Pace at Jerez MotoGP Test with Ducati Updates
During the recent official MotoGP test at Jerez, Marc Marquez showcased the potential of Ducati’s latest enhancements by clocking the two fastest laps of the day. The seasoned Factory Ducati rider achieved his best time of 1m35.876s during the afternoon session, outpacing the next best lap by over three-tenths of a second, which was recorded by KTM’s Maverick Vinales.
This impressive performance came as a remarkable rebound for Marquez, especially after his crash during the Spanish Grand Prix held at the same venue just a day earlier. The test marked a significant opportunity for the dominant Italian manufacturer, as regulatory restrictions had limited their testing of new components since the season began. The day’s conditions were consistent with those seen during the Grand Prix, but the added wind and improved grip on the track made it challenging to draw direct comparisons between lap times. Notably, Marquez’s lap time was slightly slower than the best qualifying time set by Fabio Quartararo, which stood at 1m35.610s, and he also fell short of his own best qualifying effort.
While Marquez excelled, his teammate Francesco Bagnaia struggled to connect with the new components, finishing the morning session in 15th place and only managing to improve to 17th in the afternoon. Bagnaia logged 64 laps throughout the day, compared to Marquez’s 79, as he continued his quest for the right setup on the GP25.
In contrast, Alex Marquez, the Spanish GP winner, had a low-key day planned, as there were no significant updates for him to test on the GP24. He wrapped up his session early, finishing with the seventh-fastest time in the morning and tenth in the afternoon.
Testing Insights from Ducati’s Satellite Teams
Ducati’s satellite team, VR46, had a busy day testing new parts, particularly with Fabio di Giannantonio, who was the only rider on the grid piloting the GP25 aside from Marquez and Bagnaia. Di Giannantonio completed a modest 48 laps but made a strong impression by securing the fifth-fastest time in the morning session.
However, his teammate Franco Morbidelli was unable to participate due to injuries sustained from heavy crashes over the weekend. Diagnosed with a concussion after a high-speed incident at Curva Criville, Morbidelli was sidelined from testing and will need to be cleared before he can compete at the next round in Le Mans.
Yamaha’s Progress at the Jerez Test
Yamaha appeared to make significant strides during the test, building on the momentum from Quartararo’s strong performance during the race weekend, where he finished in second place. The Japanese manufacturer introduced an updated inline-four engine, and Quartararo expressed satisfaction with its performance, particularly in addressing the straight-line speed issues that had plagued the team.
“The new engine is an improvement over the old one, with more power. I’m very happy,” Quartararo remarked, referring to the test as a highlight of his last three years in racing. Yamaha opted to conclude their testing early, with both Quartararo and teammate Alex Rins finishing their work with two and a half hours remaining in the session. Ultimately, Quartararo secured the third-fastest time of the day overall.
KTM’s Testing Developments
At KTM, development rider Dani Pedrosa joined the ranks of the regular factory riders for the test. However, Pedro Acosta had a challenging day, as a crash at Peluqui disrupted his testing schedule during the first hour.
Aprilia’s Continued Development
Aprilia was focused on the potential homologation of a second aerodynamic package, which featured a new rear wing design that had been tested during the weekend by Marco Bezzecchi. Bezzecchi also experimented with a new swingarm, contributing to the team’s ongoing development efforts. Ai Ogura, riding for Trackhouse Aprilia, aimed to refine his own riding technique while also testing the new rear aero components. Regular test rider Lorenzo Savadori, who has been filling in for the injured Jorge Martin at various races this season, concentrated on enhancing braking performance and the bike’s stability. Aprilia logged impressive mileage during the test, with Bezzecchi completing 48 laps in the morning—more than any other rider—and following up with an additional 50 laps in the afternoon.
Honda’s Testing Strategy
Honda took the opportunity to trial several new components, including a redesigned swingarm. Test rider Takaaki Nakagami joined the standard factory riders for this session. Aleix Espargaro, who participated as a wild card during the Grand Prix, was not involved in the testing activities.
LCR Honda’s rookie Somkiat Chantra faced difficulties throughout the day, missing the morning session due to arm pump issues and crashing during the afternoon, limiting his ability to collect valuable data.
Conclusion: A Competitive Edge at Jerez
The Jerez test was a crucial opportunity for teams to assess their performance and make adjustments ahead of the next race. With Marc Marquez leading the charge for Ducati, the competition among teams remains fierce as they prepare for the upcoming challenges on the MotoGP calendar. As teams continue to refine their bikes and strategies, fans can look forward to an exciting season ahead.
