Ahead of the flyways that begin soon at the Twin Ring Motegi, Moto2™ followed up the Aragon GP with a one day test at MotorLand Aragon, joined on track by Moto3™. Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) was back out after his stunning win on Sunday after no time for celebrations, with the skies bluer than race day and work uninterrupted.
As well as Federal Oil Gresini Moto2, other teams present were fellow Sunday podium sitters Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS with Alex Marquez and Franco Morbidelli, as well as Garage Plus Interwetten, Idemitsu Honda Team Asia, Ajo Motorsport and reigning champion Johann Zarco, Dynavolt Intact GP, Speed Up Racing, QMMF Racing Team, Italtrans Racing Team, Tech 3 Racing, Petronas Raceline Malaysia and Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2.
As work got underway, Tom Luthi (Garage Plus Interwetten) and Takaaki Nakagami (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) were back out fresh from their impressive finishes in the race to test out the new Kalex chassis for 2017, plus two new swingarms. With Kalex not bringing any other new parts or upgrades for other teams, the majority of work for those testing on the current chassis centered around setup.
In addition to setup and further data-gathering following the race weekend, Öhlins did bring some new suspension forks - and a harder compound front from tyre supplier Dunlop was also on the agenda as teams consider the option, especially for the upcoming Malaysian GP at the newly resurfaced Sepang International Circuit.
Dynavolt Intact GP riders Sandro Cortese and Jonas Folger spent some of their track time testing Nissin brakes, after Cortese also tried them out at the post-race test in Brno following teammate Folger's victory. The team also recently announced a switch in chassis for 2017, moving to Suter. Tech 3 Racing continued their work on their chassis and KYB suspension, with rider Xavi Vierge the one charged with testing duties as the team try out different options.
Reigning Moto2™ champion Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) got out on track on the new KTM Moto2™ chassis with a black livery ahead of their future entry, with the championship leader back to work after a tough race weekend - seeing his advantage slashed to one point over key rival Alex Rins (Paginas Amarillas HP 40).
Motegi is next on the agenda, with Moto2™ closer than ever and seeming ready to go down to the wire.