IRTA TEST: RODRIGO SHINES AGAIN AS ALCOBA KEEPS IMPROVING
A crucial three-day test at Jerez de la Frontera ha drawn to a close as the quarter-litre class of MotoGP was back on track in this final stretch of the preseason. Team Kömmerling Gresini Moto3 was among the protagonists of this test thanks mainly to Gabriel Rodrigo, who with a new racing number and perfect fitness condition, was one of the three riders able to lap below the 1’45secs barrier.
The Argentine rider, who had already shown great speed last week aboard his Honda machine, continued the on-track work with his crew led by Massimo Capanna while turning his attention on the suspensions, the clutch and especially the engine braking. Rodrigo recorded around 130 laps and rode almost exclusively on used tyres and race set-up – leaving the “time attack” only for the third and last day.
With around 50 laps completed per day, Jeremy Alcobawas probably the most active Moto3 riders on track. The rookie #52 needed as much time as possible on his Honda to find the right feeling and – also courtesy of his teammate’s slipstream – he most likely found his way around. With a lot of work done especially on the front end of the bike, the Spaniard ended the test with a personal best lap-time of 1’45.585secs, tenth quickest and 0.9secs shy of the top of the timesheets.
3rd GABRI RODRIGO #2 (1.44’984)
“We maintained the same approach of the previous weeks and I must say we’re happy with what we achieved. We also ‘allowed ourselves’ to skip yesterday’s morning session as with cold temperatures it might have been too risky, but it’s a sign that we have really reached an incredible feeling with the bike. I logged some very interesting times and even with race tyres I put together a really good pace. Yesterday I didn’t manage to set a good time in the time attack also due to a small technical issue, but I must say that today with the soft tyres we were able to make up for it. We worked hard on the engine brake during these days and we have a really good base to fine tune. Generally speaking the bike works really well and now we’ll wait for the Qatar test in order to see how we perform on such a different track.”
12th JEREMY ALCOBA #52. (1.45’585)
“I must say that I achieved the target I had set. I needed to lap as much as possible to leave the KTM riding style behind and learn how to master this Honda, and I think we did it. The help by the team and by Gabri was crucial, especially on the front-end which was where I ‘struggled’ the most… Once we sorted that out, we managed to improve all areas while finding a good time attack and also a good race pace – and I repeat, on a track that is not among my favourites.”
