Repsol Moto3 riders conclude positive test at Valencia, where rain hindered the action on the last two days.
After a first test last week in Almeria, Fabio Quartararo, Jorge Navarro and Maria Herrera headed to Valencia this week for a scheduled three days of preseason. The most positive work was done on the opening day, in which Quartararo was fastest, Navarro fourteenth and Maria Herrera twenty-seventh on the timesheets. Wednesday and Thursday’s workload was disrupted by cold temperatures and rain.
On Tuesday, the FIM CEV Repsol champion for the last two seasons showed his talent by setting the fastest lap of the test, stopping the clock at 1:39.392 and completing 49 laps. His teammate, Jorge Navarro, also continued with his adaptation to the new Honda NSF250RW and, after 45 laps, posted the fourteenth fastest time with a lap of 1:40.388. Maria Herrera took steps forward with her Husqvarna machine and finished twenty-seventh on the timesheets, with a time of 1:41.454 and completing 52 laps.
However, Wednesday saw rain and low temperatures and, as a precaution, none of the three went back out on track. The Repsol Moto3 riders will return to action next Tuesday at Jerez, where they will begin the second Official Test of the preseason.
Fabio Quartararo >> Audio >> Audio FR
1st – 1:39.392, 49 laps, 196 km
“We could only ride on the first day, on Tuesday, as the state of the track yesterday and today was not good. However, we have been able to work on a few adjustments to further refine the setup of the bike, ahead of the first race of the season in Qatar. These past two days we decided not to ride, because in the wet it is very easy to crash and that would lead to us losing confidence. What matters now is not getting injured and making the most of the next few days of testing at Jerez”.
Jorge Navarro >> Audio
14th – 1:40.388, 45 laps, 180 km
“I’m pretty happy with how the first day of the three went, because after so long without getting on the bike I wanted to ride again. It’s true that we went to Almeria last week, but I couldn’t ride much and it was more to get used to the bike again. At this test we were out on track with all the World Championship riders and, although there were only two sessions, the feeling was quite positive. Most importantly, we detected the points where we have to improve at the next test. Along with team we decided not to go out yesterday or today, because we had already tested in the wet in November and we did not want to take unnecessary risks. Next week we have three important days of testing at Jerez”.
María Herrera
27th – 1:41.454, 52 laps, 208 km
“The first and only day we rode, I felt very comfortable on the bike. We still have to put in more miles and improve, but on Tuesday we used the time well and rode as much as we could. I was feeling it a bit after having the winter off, but for now I quite like the new bike. The team are helping me a lot and we still have to keep working on the setup. The main differences between the bike this year and last year are with the engine and chassis. I think the Husqvarna has more power coming out of the corners. I am looking forward to riding and continuing working at Jerez.”
