Positive test for Tech 3 Moto2 in Valencia

Despite poor weather ruining two out of three scheduled test days at the Valencia circuit in Spain, the Tech 3 squad was still happy with an encouraging performance from its new Moto2 contender this week.

Having already had one test at Valencia severely disrupted by snow, rain and cold temperatures earlier this month, Tech 3 and the Pons Kalex squad were only able to get one day of testing at the Spanish venue out of a scheduled three because of more rain.

But the French-based Tech 3 squad ended with Japanese rider Yuki Takahashi posting an encouraging time of 1.37.5 in his 60-lap stint on his debut on the new bike.

Team-mate Raffaele de Rosa, who is working with Jorge Lorenzo’s former team boss Daniele Romagnoli, clocked a best time of 1.38.4 in his 55-laps.

The former Scot Honda MotoGP rider was using standard Dunlop tyres but got chance to evaluate a modified chassis, different rigidity swingarm and triple clamps as Tech 3 tried to iron out chatter problems suffered during pre-Christmas testing.

MCN understands Tech 3 crew, led by Colin Edwards’ MotoGP crew chief Guy Coulon, will now further revise the chassis ahead of the next test in Catalunya near Barcelona commencing on February 17.

Team boss Herve Poncharal said: “I think we are cursed with the weather in Spain at the moment.

“We cancelled one test in Jerez because of the rain, we had snow, rain and freezing cold temperatures at Valencia in early January and now we get more rain. But on the day we did manage to test we learned a lot and it was very positive.

“We were a lot quicker than we were at the beginning of January when we had the original chassis and it was very cold, but it is could to be around that time.

“I think Toni Elias was around that time in Valencia back in November when the conditions were much more favourable.

“We had a lot of things to try on the bike but we are working in the right direction. We had a modified chassis in Valencia and we tried various things different with the front fork and rear shock.

“Before we had some problems with chatter but it was much better last time and we have got some more ideas to improve the bike again.

“We will make some more changes to the bike for the next test in Barcelona where we will be able to properly see where we are against the opposition.

“Most of the teams will be testing in Barcelona and I’m confident that we will be very competitive.”

Poncharal’s next track engagement will be in the Far East for the opening 2010 MotoGP test at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia next week.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 duo Colin Edwards and reigning World Superbike champion Ben Spies are on track with the rest of the premier class grid on February 4 and 5.