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The first MotoGP test of the new year draws to a close in Sepang. A lot of work in the pits for all the teams, especially in the Aprilia one, orphaned of Jorge Martin. So it was Marco Bezzecchi who directed the operations, and over a flying lap he dropped below the barrier of 1'59", just getting into the top ten: "The time? I'm still capable of riding a bike!"
With this quip, Bez gets the debrief with the media underway.
"Joking aside, today I tried to take the Aprilia to the limit to understand the level of the bike and how much was done, especially from the point of view of the time attack. We have a lot of things to evaluate, but we haven't finished doing that yet."
What is the balance of these tests?
"It was a tough two and a half days of testing," he admitted, "It was the first time I had to try so many things. It was cool, but challenging. I also did a time attack - it was my first time with so little fuel on this bike. Personally, I'm happy, although I still can't take it to the limit as I would like, as I lack the knowledge. However, we still have a few things to try and we have to be focused."
What are you referring to when you say, taking it to the limit?
"It means taking risks, getting more talk from the bike to understand where to give more or where to push less."
Looking at Savadori, what do you notice at the riding level?
"I think at the moment Savadori rides the Aprilia better than I do, since he was born on this bike and as a result has more experience. I'm still adapting, in braking I'm quite strong, but sometimes I find myself riding like I did before. Obviously we are working and in some corners I can ride the way I like."
Is there anything you regret about the Ducati?
"No, not at the moment. I am very happy to have this chance in Aprilia, they gave me their confidence and I appreciate this so much. We are working well, aware that it will not be easy."
How much has the Aprilia changed since you took it over?
"The bike has changed for the better, because getting to know it more I have been able to find good feelings. So it's all for the better."
Regarding the technical innovations, however?
"The bike started from a standard base with no set-up changes. This remained the same no matter what we tried, including the electronics. I kept the same setup even during the time attack. In the end I never worked to improve the bike in relation to my riding."
Through it all, you managed to get under the 1'58" barrier...
"I like the bike, it doesn't misbehave, because otherwise you don't get to do a 1'57", let alone a 1'58"..."
At the development level, how do you find yourself directing operations?
"The beginning was strange, because Martin's accident messed up the plans. Personally, I am quite satisfied with the work done. It was my first time, and I was always focused on the end goal and didn't get too caught up in who was doing super times. However, we must not sleep on our laurels."
The rear wings, do you like them?
"I like the Asterix wings."
How will you conclude these tests?
"We will have to do a simulation of the Sprint to see how the bike performs for several laps in a row. Unfortunately, I will not be able to do a real race simulation instead, as we don't have much time."
