The MotoGP™ riders and teams are halfway through the one-day Official Jerez Test and currently topping the timesheets is Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) with a 1:37.136, as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) occupy P2 and P3 heading into the final few hours.
Work. Work. Work.
— Repsol Honda Team (@HRC_MotoGP) May 2, 2022
It doesn’t stop when the flag comes out. #JerezTest pic.twitter.com/Rmo75Tnp2J
It’s a huge test for HRC as they seek improvements on their 2022 RC213V. We’ve seen Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) with three bikes in his side of the garage, while the number 93 has also been running the 2021 aero package today in Jerez. Teammate Pol Espargaro was lapping on very used Michelin medium tyres after saying on Sunday that they need to create an environment that has as little grip as possible.
Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) has been sporting Ducati’s GP22 front fairing, while both Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders – Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira – are busy testing lots of things geometry and set-up wise. Spanish GP race winner Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) finished his test schedule before lunch after completing 24 laps.
Aprilia Racing are working on suspension, electronics and swingarm settings with Spanish GP podium finisher Aleix Espargaro and teammate Maverick Viñales joined on track once again by Test Rider Lorenzo Savadori.
Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) has suffered a heavy crash at Turn 1 and was taken to the medical centre for a check-up. Thankfully scans revealed no fractures but the Japanese rider, who finished P7 on Sunday afternoon, is experiencing pain in his left knee and is now flying back to Barcelona for further scans. Viñales and Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team) have both crashed at Turn 7, with Brad Binder crashing at Turn 8 – all riders are ok.
*UPDATE* @takanakagami30 - @LCecchinello: “No fractures shown on the XR but he felt some pain on the left knee ligaments so we’ve decided to fly him to Barcelona to get an MRI as soon as he lands. He left the paddock walking.”
— LCR Team (@lcr_team) May 2, 2022
Highlights, interviews and an in-depth end of day report will be available on motogp.com so you can get all the latest from the ongoings down in Jerez.
Top 10 (times as of 14:00 local time):
1. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) – 1:37.136
2. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) + 0.158
3. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) + 0.368
4. Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) + 0.420
5. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 0.591
6. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 0.620
7. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) + 0.638
8. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 0.642
9. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) + 0.645
10. Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) + 0.666