Moto3™ get back on track in Valencia

Private test sees some of the big names of 2017 gearing up for the season

The first day of testing for 2017 got underway for many on the Moto3™ grid on Wednesday, as the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia hosted a private test attended by teams and riders from both the lightweight and intermediate classes. However, most of the track action on the first day was affected by the weather - with high winds causing issues and pushing back the testing program.

Red Bull Ajo KTM pairing Bo Bendsneyder and Niccolo Antonelli were the fastest of the Moto3™ riders and did the most laps of the lightweight runners – over 30 each – with Del Conca Gresini Racing Moto3 duo Fabio DiGiannantonio and new arrival Jorge Martin next on the timesheets and the lap count.

Romano Fenati’s return to Moto3™ was off to a slow start due to the wind, but the Italian led teammate Jules Danilo on the timesheets as Fenati prepares for a title challenge in 2017. There was limited running for title hopeful Enea Bastianini and former rookie Aron Canet on Day 1 – with the Estrella Galicia 0,0 teammates not registering laptimes after only completing a handfuls on laps each.

John McPhee got back into action with the all-new British Talent Team on Day 1, with the Scot having just started training again and getting ready for the season following his Phillip Island crash and subsequent recovery. The first test for both rider and team, the Scot put in more laps in the afternoon as track action picked up and felt back up to speed quickly.

Livio Loi was happy to be out on track in Leopard Racing colours, despite a small crash with no consequence, with both the Belgian rider and Mallorcan teammate Joan Mir leaving the box for the first time in 2017. Also present were RBA Racing with Juanfran Guevara and Gabriel Rodrigo, Honda Team Asia with rookie talents Kaito Toba and Nakarin Atiratphuvapat and SIC58 Squadra Corse – who move into the Moto3™ World Championship for 2017 with Tony Arbolino and Tatsuki Suzuki.

Action continues on Thursday at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.