MotoGP: Movistar Yamaha top one-day test

The Movistar Yamaha pairing of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi have topped MotoGP’s one-day test at Brno following Sunday’s race, taking the top spot after an interrupted day’s running at the Czech circuit.

Action was delayed after only a few laps, with race winner Cal Crutchlow reporting a severe lack of adhesion from a diesel spill by a truck used by the crews dismantling the track advertising on Sunday night.

But once action finally did get underway, it was Lorenzo who finished 0.371 clear of teammate Rossi. However, he admitted afterwards that he had not tested anything new; perhaps a consequence of his move to Ducati at the end of the season.

“We had more or less similar things to try and some of them gave us a benefit to go faster. It has been a positive journey because we were afraid we wouldn‘t be able to test today because some corners were dirty in the beginning, but finally the bikes on track improved the grip, it was not the same as during the weekend and we were able to test many things. We tried both new Michelin tyres and they were better than the standard one, better stability and they have better grip in the corners.”

Rossi, however, had a slew of new parts available, with a new chassis and swingarm that he’s keen to race with as soon as possible.

“At the beginning of the day it was very difficult, because the track was dry but very dirty. The lap times were also quite slow but after, when some other riders also entered the track, it started to clean the circuit and at the end it was a very good test day for me personally because we tried different things, especially different chassis and swingarms and I like them.

“Now we have to speak and understand when we can start the use, but in general it has been a positive test and I was always quite strong with a good pace. At the end, during the time attack, I did a 1:55.7, that is fast, so it was a very good day and I enjoyed it.”