Well testing is over. Was wondering what might be some thoughts as to the outcome of the testing? Grant it, being early in the year, it's hard to gauge what might be for the future of the season. But so far, I'm liking what I'm seeing.
Marquez - shatters Stoner's previous Sepang record. Lays down blistering lap after blistering lap. Fastest Lap - 1:59.533
Rossi - is within one tenth of Marquez!! Seems Rossi has found a lot of speed and where ever Marquez went, Rossi seemed to follow by turning laps getting him close to the front runner. And how about Rossi breaking into the sub-two minute barrier at Sepang as well with a 1:59.727. Even Rossi was close to breaking Stoner's old lap record. Looks like Rossi can re-assume his position as one of the "Aliens" in MotoGP. Especially after his three day performance where he was consistently in front of Lorenzo and at times, by a lot.
Lorenzo - Not sure if he's bummed out or what. He looks as though he's struggling with the new steering characteristics of the bike. Doesn't like the fuel load, doesn't like the tires being used, doesn't like the power delivery of the bike. Doesn't like a lot of things with the new 2014 bike. He may be playing it off now in some of the interviews, but I think he's worried about Marquez and Rossi's pace.
Pedrosa - yeah typical Pedrosa. Not much to say here. Fast, consistent and as usual will fade during the races.
A. Espargaro - awesome to put a customer M1 in 4th place with a sub-two minute lap!!! If the kind of performance that A. Espargaro is showing is indicative of the new customer M1, then it should be a good year with plenty of battles.
And then, the rest of the field who all posted good times but nothing out of the ordinary or exceptional. I am kind of laughing at Crutchlow, he's off already slamming the new bike. It's like damn bro, you knew what you were getting when you went there. Don't be pissed about it now.
Lap Times:
1. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 59.533s (Lap 10/40)
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1) 1m 59.727s | +0.194s (11/55)
3. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1) 1m 59.866s | +0.333s (2/65)
4. Aleix Espargaro ESP NGM Mobile Forward Racing (FTR-M1) 1m 59.998s | +0.465s (7/43)
5. Stefan Bradl GER LCR Honda MotoGP (RC213V) 2m 0.112s | +0.579s (11/3
6. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 2m 0.223s | +0.690s (29/55)
7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici) 2m 0.370s | +0.837s (10/40)
8. Pol Espargaro ESP Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 2m 0.655s | +1.122s (8/65)
9. Andrea Iannone ITA Pramac Racing (Desmosedici) 2m 0.725s | +1.192s (13/57)
10. Alvaro Bautista ESP Go&Fun Honda Gresini (RC213V) 2m 0.788s | +1.255s (3/63)
11. Bradley Smith GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 2m 0.896s | +1.363s (10/65)
12. Cal Crutchlow GBR Ducati Team (Desmosedici) 2m 1.057s | +1.524s (58/5
13. Nicky Hayden USA Drive M7 Aspar (RCV1000R) 2m 1.514s | +1.981s (21/59)
14. Colin Edwards USA NGM Mobile Forward Racing (FTR-M1) 2m 1.731s | +2.198s (41/47)
15. Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Test Rider (Desmosedici) 2m 1.782s | +2.249s (12/67)
16. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN Drive M7 Aspar (RCV1000R) 2m 2.383s | +2.850s (61/66)
17. Randy De Puniet FRA Suzuki Test Rider (XRH-1) 2m 2.486s | +2.953s (17/67)
18. Yonny Hernandez COL Pramac Racing (Desmosedici) 2m 2.556s | +3.023s (31/65)
19. Kosuke Akiyoshi JPN Honda Test Rider 2m 2.619s | +3.086s (3/5
20. Katsuyuki Nakasuga JPN Yamaha Test Rider (YZR-M1) 2m 2.788s | +3.255s (13/3
21. Scott Redding GBR Go&Fun Honda Gresini (RCV1000R) 2m 2.833s | +3.300s (42/60)
22. Michael Laverty GBR Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM-ART) 2m 3.187s | +3.654s (12/41)
23. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia Blusens (FTR-Kawasaki) 2m 3.204s | +3.671s (49/54)
24. Broc Parkes AUS Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM-ART) 2m 3.402s | +3.869s (40/43)
25. Mike Di Meglio FRA Avintia Blusens (FTR-Kawasaki) 2m 4.516s | +4.983s (28/5
26. Nobuatsu Aoki JPN Suzuki Test Rider (XRH-1) 2m 5.686s | +6.153s (10/12)
27. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB Motoracing (RCV1000R) 2m 5.974s | +6.441s (6/12)
Blue = Factory class - Control ECU hardware, but manufacturer software.
20 litres of race fuel, five engine changes for the season. All engines must be identical throughout the year, within the same team (development freeze).
Red = Open class - Full control ECU system, hardware and software.
24 litres of race fuel, twelve engine changes for the season. No engine development freeze, plus a softer rear tyre allocation relative to the Factory class.
Black = Test Rider.
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