Inaugural MotoGP™ KymiRing Test comes to a close

Rain cut short the second day, but dry conditions saw lap times tumble in Finland

The second and final day of testing at the brand-new KymiRing in Finland came to a close early today due to heavy rain at just after 16:00 local time. However, sunshine and temperatures well above twenty degrees Celcius earlier in the day meant all six MotoGP™ test riders could finally lap in dry conditions, which meant lap times dropped dramatically and a new unofficial track record was set.

Bradley Smith, Aprilia Racing Team, Finland MotoGP™ Test

In the end, Bradley Smith ended as fastest thanks to a 1:47.540, over twelve seconds quicker than he managed in yesterday's wet conditions, meaning the Aprilia test rider leaves Finland as the unofficial track record holder. The Brit, now preparing to ride at his home Grand Prix with the Petronas Sprinta Racing Moto2™ squad, was the only rider out on track when the rain began to fall, which was so heavy and sudden the Aprilia rider was stranded halfway around the track on slick tyres.

Honda test rider Stefan Bradl bounced back from a crash midway through yesterday to end the test second quickest, 0.324 seconds behind Smith. After using a ‘salad box’ yesterday, Bradl’s factory RC213V was seen without it for the entirety of today.

Stefan Bradl, Repsol Honda Team, Finland MotoGP™ Test

Ducati’s Michele Pirro had an eventful day, ending in him finishing third quickest. The Italian was the only faller after a crash at Turn 11, but the Ducati test rider was thankfully OK and was then later seen testing a larger ‘salad box’ than was spotted yesterday, as well as a modified fairing for his Desmosedici. Suzuki’s Sylvain Guintoli, fresh from being announced as Joan Mir’s replacement for the British Grand Prix, closed the day just over a tenth adrift of Pirro in fourth.

KTM’s Mika Kallio was again the first rider out on track this morning, to the delight of the Finnish fans in attendance, and completed the most laps of the day with, coincidentally, 36. Yamaha’s Jonas Folger was just a tenth behind Kallio, with all six riders separated by just over a second and a half.

Michelin were also hard at work today and in constant communications with all six factories and their riders as the French tyre manufacturers tried to make the most of the dry conditions. Despite some challenging conditions across the 48 hours, the first-ever MotoGP™ action at the KymiRing has been a huge success and is now in the history books ahead of the MotoGP™ paddock descending on Finland in the summer of 2020.

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