The dates of the Losail shakedown and subsequent MotoGP tests have been confirmed. First rumors from today’s Dorna, Irta, FIM, and MotoGP team meeting.
They’re discussing whether to open the dates of the testers’ shakedown, of the constructors’ with concessions (Aprilia only, today), and of the rookies, even to official riders, in order to somehow make up for the three days of testing lost in Sepang.
Obviously, teams with new riders (Rossi at Petronas-Yamaha, Quartararo at Monster Yamaha, Pol Espargaró at Repsol, Petrucci at Tech3, Zarco at Pramac-Ducati, and so on) pushed for an increased number of days and were not particularly enthusiastic about the new plan.
The discussion on increasing the test days from three to four, or even five, ended when Michelin made it clear that it did not have enough tires for everyone.
To reduce costs, the tires are shipped to the event in containers, by sea, three months earlier. Any new shipment would have additional costs.
Negotiations are currently underway with Michelin. The French must now calculate if they will be able to deliver enough tires to Doha to allow official riders an extra day or two of shakedown training. An addition fourth day of testing has not yet been guaranteed.
MOTOGP
Shakedown test in Losail: March 5th-7th
IRTA MotoGP test in Losail: March 10th to 12th
Moto2 and Moto3
Jerez test: March 16th-18th
Moto2 private tests
Jerez: February 24th-25th
Portimão: March 2nd-3rd