Fresh from yesterday’s Spanish GP, Repsol Honda Team riders Marc Marquez and Hiroshi Aoyama were back on track in Jerez today working on HRC’s testing programme.
Due to fatigue from his injury and in order to give him a chance to recover, Marc -who finished second yesterday- only tested for two hours but it was important to receive his feedback on the new swingarm HRC brought from Japan. Marc completed 31 laps with his best time 1:38.968 placing him 5th fastest.
Hiroshi, who unfortunately crashed out of the race badly brushing his shoulder, managed to complete some of his test schedule today. He also tried the new swingarm and then after lunch he worked on Öhlins suspension items and electronics. He managed 60 laps with a fastest time of 1:40.342.
The HRC engineers will now take this valuable feedback back to Japan to prepare ahead of the French GP in two week’s time.
Marc Marquez >> Audio
5th, 1:38.968 sec, 31 laps, 137 km.
“I’m happy with the work we have done today. I put in a few laps, as we planned last night, basically just to test out a swingarm. HRC engineers wanted us to analyse it to find out if we could use it in the coming races, to see where we can improve and which direction to continue working in. We have drawn some very positive conclusions that have allowed us to improve in some aspects today, and we have obtained a lot of information for further development with things that have been a little bit more difficult, for example corner entry.”
Hiroshi Aoyama >> Audio >> Audio cat.
19th, 1.40.342 sec, 60 laps, 265 km.
“It was a productive test even if my physical condition wasn’t 100%. This morning I still had some pain but it’s important to get back on the bike after having a big crash and get the feeling back. Today we tested some new parts including a different swing arm and some suspension. We found some positive things which I hope is useful for the engineers to take back to Japan and help Honda for the rest of the season.”
