Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS riders Franco Morbidelli and Tom Lüthi completed a positive MotoGP test at the Jerez circuit today.
For Morbidelli the one-day test provided an opportunity to further refine the set up of his Honda RC213V, after securing his first top ten finish in the premier class in yesterday’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Today the Italian focussed mainly on increasing traction on a used rear tyre, testing a number of different rear suspension settings with positive results.
Despite a high-speed crash without injury at turn four late in the day, Lüthi also declared himself happy with the progress made during today’s Jerez test.
Having struggled to find a good feeling with the front of his Honda RC213V during the weekend, changes to the balance of the bike saw Lüthi regain the confidence that was missing in yesterday’s race.
Morbidelli and Lüthi will be back on track for the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, which gets underway with free practice on Friday 18th May.
Franco Morbidelli: 66 Laps – 1’38.288
“Today was a positive test for us. We tried some changes to the bike that we didn’t have time to test over the race weekend and the results were good. We spent a lot of time on used tyres, working on the rear suspension settings to improve grip and we made some progress. A good test where I was able to work well with my crew and now I’m looking forward to the next race in Le Mans.”
Tom Lüthi: 44 Laps – 1’39.643
“We made some changes to the front of the bike today and this was very, very interesting. We definitely made a step forward compared to where we were for the race yesterday so it’s a pity that the crash meant I wasn’t able to confirm the new settings on new tyres. The feeling was good, definitely better, and my pace was quicker than in the race yesterday, but we will need to confirm the same on the soft tyre next week in Le Mans. Overall a positive day but also a shame that I was too sore to continue after the crash.”
Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
“Apart from Tom’s crash, which came late in the day, this has been a very positive test for the team. Franco rounded off a very successful weekend, his best so far in MotoGP, by making another step forward with the bike and this will stand him in good stead next week in Le Mans. Tom and his crew tried some fairly big changes today in a bid to improve his feeling and confidence in the front. It looks as if they have made a significant improvement but we decided to stop the test early following Tom’s crash, so we will need to confirm everything in Le Mans during free practice.”