On Wednesday, 3rd of May, the premier class riders took to the newly-resurfaced Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for testing – and as well as the track surface, there have been some changes to the layout in the final sector to check out ahead of the Catalan GP.
After some different chicane configurations used in recent seasons instead of the final corner, and alterations to the layout at Turn 10, the track now has the former Turn 13 reinstated as the layout for MotoGP™.
The general feedback from the riders was positive on both, as lap times fell and the field was looking fast. Championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) led the praise about the new tack surface: “They’ve done a really good job. The tarmac had a really good grip and was nice to ride”.
Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MooGP) was also especially happy about the track surface – with the ‘Doctor’ saying they’ve done a good job of the works. “They took out a lot of bumps, the asphalt is very flat and has good grip, so you can go faster and enjoy it more.”
Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) noted that the timesheet reflected the benefits of the new asphalt, with riders “able to improve their laptimes by almost a second” and confirming the positivity overall: “We are all very happy about it.”
LCR Honda Castrol’s Cal Crutchlow was also positive: “The asphalt is good, as you can see from the laptimes,” began the Brit, before continuing that it needs more rubber laying down: “It seems that the circuit is slippery in some areas and we need to put time in on the track.”
Marquez and Rossi also talked about the modified layout. The number 93 says the new “safety areas are enough and we fool good” and Rossi added to that, stating the ‘normal’ layout – the return of Turn 13 - “is better for us in MotoGP.”
The grid will be back in Montmeló for the race after the next Grand Prix at Mugello.