Just a couple of days after Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was crowned 2022 MotoGP™ World Champion in Valencia’s title decider, strenuous work began for 2023 as factories rolled out a number of new parts for their riders to test at the annual Valencia Test.
Plenty happened, so let’s look back at what we learned to get us warmed up for the upcoming Shakedown and Official Sepang pre-season tests.
YAMAHA:
The main story in the Yamaha camp was – and still is – the 2023 engine. The noise from the Barcelona and Misano tests, plus Cal Crutchlow’s feedback from his Motegi and Jerez tests, suggested that a crucial step forward had been made in terms of power. However, both Fabio Quartararo and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ teammate Franco Morbidelli felt no difference to the 2022-spec they’d been running all year, with Team Manager Massimo Meregalli saying after the test in the team's press release: “We were surprised that we didn’t see the performance from the engine that we were expecting. We will send it back to Japan along with today’s data and check what the reason is.”
We have since learned that Yamaha were able to identify the issue, and it’s something that they’re hoping won’t be a problem in Sepang. Elsewhere, a new chassis was spotted and a couple of different aerodynamic packages were seen, including the introduction of the stegosaurus-like rear wings. In truth, most of the initial attention will be on the top speed charts when it comes to checking what Yamaha are up to in Sepang.
HONDA:
Marc Marquez’s assessment of the Valencia Test summed up how the Honda camp were feeling after the one-day outing. “We need a lot more to fight for a title” was the overriding feeling from the eight-time World Champion, as HRC rolled out what was essentially a new bike.
A fully revised tail unit, a tweaked aero package and a new air intake were thrown at the RC213V to try and find some gains, to which there were minimal. It’s a huge Sepang Test for every factory, but none more so than Honda as they try and climb their way back to the summit of MotoGP™. Plenty of focus will be pinned their way.
DUCATI:
The Italian marque were the manufacturer to beat in 2022, but that didn’t stop the reigning Triple Crown holders from bringing some fresh items to test in Valencia. Ducati Lenovo Team Manager Davide Tardozzi explained a new engine was being put through its paces, while a new chassis and updated aerodynamics package were also run – this included an ‘Aprilia-style’ side fairing.
The World Champions will be all too aware of not making the same mistake as they did at the start of last season. Another slow start to the campaign won’t be accepted by the Bologna brand, as they aim to try and stay ahead of the fierce competition.
KTM:
Fierce competition is something KTM hope they are in 2023. It’s a huge year coming up for the Austrian factory and the vibes coming from the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing camp were positive after the Valencia Test, as the orange outfit gear up for what Brad Binder calls the “best opportunity” yet to try and win a premier class title.
Weight distribution was a key focus point back in November, with a fully redesigned rear end of the RC16 and a new chassis making an appearance. A new aerodynamic package was also on display, but expect to see KTM roll out a number of innovative parts in Sepang after their continued work with Red Bull’s F1 department. Pol Espargaro’s (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) joyous outburst in Valencia was another sign that KTM and GASGAS are on the right track.
APRILIA:
The addition of two more RS-GPs was a welcome sight for the Noale factory at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, and Miguel Oliveira’s (RNF MotoGP™ Team) P4 finish on the timesheets caught the eyes of many.
Understandably, it was factory duo Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia Racing teammate Maverick Viñales occupying most of the testing duties though, the main one being a new swingarm. Espargaro described the update as “quite good, in terms of grip and acceleration we found some positive things,” while in Sepang, the main objective will be to find some more torque and power from the “bottom end”. Look out for that. Meanwhile, Viñales admitted he didn’t have too many things to try, his main objective was to give some important feedback to new crew chief Manu Cazeaux.
Keep your eyes peeled for some early tech sightings during the Shakedown Test across motogp.com and our social media platforms, before we really get stuck into the action at what promises to be a compelling three-day Official Sepang Test on the 10-12 of February.