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Iannone and Suzuki have had a tough year and need to quickly identify the right path for 2018. Looking at this first test, it appears they've done just that, as while Andrea was close to the front at Valencia, he now leads the way on day one at Jerez.
A big scare for Chaz Davies who crashed at turn one in the final stages, hitting the airfence. It was a big crash but the Ducati rider has fortunately not suffered any serious injury. Doctors at the medical centre confirm he has only a contusion on the left knee and a few other bruises; the British rider was able to return to the garage. Tomorrow he will decide whether to continue testing.
Back to the standings. the GSX-RR has gone back in time in terms of the engine, the element that limited it in 2017, and the results have been quick to arrive. Iannone closed day one with a best of 1’38”280, just 0.031 slower than Pedrosa's pole at the last GP. Suzuki seems to be on the right path and tomorrow will also see Alex Rins take to the track, taking over from test rider Sylvain Guintoli.
“Not bad, I'm really pleased - a smiling Andrea told us - everything's perfect and we're working well. We're reconfirming some of the materials we tested at Valencia and now we need to choose well ahead of next season. We've taken a big step forward, the direction is the right one and I'm very pleased with Suzuki's work. We still have limits, but are showing that we know how to solve our problems”.
The Suzuki might be flying, but the Honda isn't messing around either. Cal Crutchlow is continuing the development work, with three bikes to test in the garage. At the end of the day, he's in second place, just 0.057 from Iannone, proving the validity of the new Honda project.
Ducati is also working hard with Dovizioso and Lorenzo continuing their tests on the laboratory Desmosedici, which has only a few new details with respect to last week at Valencia. The two factory riders will be on track again tomorrow, before handing over to Petrucci on Friday. Andrea closed the day in third, Jorge 4th, close behind Iannone.
One surprise is the KTM, in fifth place at the hands of Pol Espargarò (0”362) and ahead of Sykes on the Kawasaki. It doesn't look like the technical regulation change or reduction in engine revs has done much to limit the green bike, not far from the MotoGPs in terms of the flying lap. Rea finished 3 tenths from his team-mate, while the other SBK bikes are much further back.
Melandri on the Ducati finished up almost a second from Sykes, as did Alex Lowes on the Yamaha (the two men set an identical time: 1’39”715), Davies is almost two seconds back, as is Camier on the Honda.
Back to the prototypes and Rabat seems to be getting on well with the Ducati, closing 0”574 from Iannone, while Re is a good second off with the Aprilia (Aleix Espargarò is not riding due to his injured hand).
A day of progress for Franco Morbidelli, who climbed the timesheets to finish 1”460 from the front. The best rookie of the day was in fact Takaaki Nakagami who, with team LCR's Honda, lapped 1”304 from Iannone. Simeon is further back, finishing up 2”611 from the front on the Avintia Ducati.
Alex Marquez was a special guest at Jerez, out on track this afternoon. The Spanish rider used the Marc VDS Honda, free as a result of Luthi's injury. Alex, watched over by brother Marc, completed 34 laps with a best time of 1’41”750. Alex had previously tested the Honda MotoGP as a prize after winning the Moto3 title but he was only able to complete a few laps on that occasion.
DAY ONE TIMES
