The majority of the MotoGP paddock was happy with the testing session that they had at Estoril following the Portugal GP. Marco Simoncelli was the quickest around the track, but each team was able to improve upon their machines.
DUCATI TEAM
Valentino Rossi - Today’s Test Gives Us Confidence
“It was a positive test because the new updates were immediately better. The bike was more sensitive to changes made to the front, which makes it easier to work on a set-up that works better for me. I realised that as soon as I got on the bike and then, over the course of the following hours, we constantly progressed.
“We also had an engine with a slightly smoother power delivery that I liked a lot. We’ll start using it when the rotation plan allows it.
“I liked the tires that Bridgestone had us try, they seemed very good. Of course the other riders also made great progress, and the least positive thing about today is the gap to the front on my best lap. Anyway, everything that the Ducati technicians brought worked, and that means that we’re on the right path. We have to continue working, but today’s test gives us confidence.”
Nicky Hayden - We Improved, But Everybody Else Improved Too
“We were lucky to get a really good day with the weather. We improved, because I consistently went a lot faster than in qualifying, but it looked like everybody else improved too. I did my best time on the 2012 tires, so Bridgestone made a nice step there. I got on the updated chassis after lunch, and it had a better feel over some of the bumps, and still good stability under braking. The updated engine made the bike a little smoother, and I liked it overall.”
YAMAHA TEAM
Jorge Lorenzo - We Can Be Faster in the Corners
“I’m very happy with the test we have done today. Before I was not feeling as safe and as comfortable going into corners as I did last year and in 2009. Now we have found something with the chassis set up that works much better so I feel comfortable again. I think we can be faster with the corners now so I am looking forward to going to France to keep fighting for more podiums.”
Ben Spies - I Did The Best I Could
“It’s been a decent day of testing for us after what happened yesterday. We started over today and I’ve been happy with the sessions. We learned something later on this afternoon which I think is really going to benefit us in Le Mans that we haven’t been able to try before now. There was a good lap time improvement today, I did the best I could with what I had so I’m looking forward to Le Mans to start fresh.”
REPSOL HONDA TEAM
Dani Pedrosa - It’s A Shame Not to Be Able to Profit From This Test
“The shoulder is a bit better than last night thanks to some muscle relaxing tablets I took, but I've still got a lot of pain. I did a few laps with the bike I used yesterday for the race, but I saw immediately that I wouldn't be able to do the full program today.
I tried one modified clutch looking to reduce the hopping, the bumping on the rear we have when we release the clutch. It's a shame not be able to profit from this test because we wanted to also try the new 2011 front fork and rear shock to get more traction, but I was unable to do it. Now, the plan before Le Mans race is to rest as much as I can for three or four days, trying to recover. Then I must check what is the best technique to relax the muscles, because it would be good to arrive in Le Mans in good shape and not so tense.”
Casey Stoner - I Hope it Continues to Get Better
“We haven't had a lot to test, there aren't really any new parts, we tried a different system on the clutch which was fine but not actually improving on what we have. We tried a few Bridgestone tires with a new construction and compound, they were definitely an improvement especially on the left side, so that went well. We tested the new 2011 fork and everything worked well with them, last time we tried them we had some issues with chattering but we seem to have fixed that now.
This is a big improvement as these forks work better on the bumps and on the brakes so hopefully we can continue to use them in the future. The beginning of the day my back was really sore and difficult to ride with but then it eased a little as the day progressed, so I hope it continues to get better.”
Andrea Dovizioso - I was Riding More Comfortable
“Today we tested a new clutch that gave us positive feedback and we had less hopping. We also tested two different settings that gave me a better feeling under braking. In general I was riding more comfortable than during the race weekend. Bridgestone also brought two new rear tires but the feeling was not so good as I had some chattering on the front. Anyway, it has been a positive test and I'm looking forward to the next races.”
