Torres and Terol continue bike development at Jerez test
Today saw the second and final day of testing at the Jerez circuit. The track continued to be a hive of activity, with almost thirty riders putting in laps from 10am through to 6pm. Despite being a private test, all the World Championship riders were present at the Spanish circuit, using the aftermath of the Valencian GP to gather data for 2014. Conditions facilitated the work, and today there was a fast pace that saw seven riders go round in under 1.43. Thomas Luthi was again fastest on the second day, followed by Esteve Rabat and Jordi Torres. A smaller test is scheduled for next Monday in Valencia, before the winter restriction comes into place on December 1st.
The MAPFRE Aspar riders were again two of the men to beat in Moto2 at the Jerez circuit. Yesterday it was Jordi Torres who tried the new chassis from Suter, whilst today it was the turn of Nico Terol. Regardless of the chassis or the number of tests undertaken up to now, both the Catalan and the Valencian improved their times from the opening day of the test, riding under the record pace at the circuit. Jordi Torres, after several experiments with seating position, swingarms and rear shocks, was third fastest at Jerez, with 46 laps under his belt. Nico Terol tried both the new frame from Suter and the ‘old’ bike, completing 65 laps and taking the sixth fastest time in Moto2. Both left Jerez feeling good, heading back to Valencia -where they will be testing next Monday.
3rd Jordi Torres 1.42.691 (46 laps): “This second day in Jerez has also been very positive; we had a chance to try out lots of things. We have complied with the plan we had set out before testing. Next Monday we will compare all the conclusions we have drawn here from a different circuit to Valencia. I hope that we can set out the best way forward to continue to develop the chassis we have been testing at these tests. Today we rode with worn tyres and new ones, we tried to push hard from the moment we got out on track and the findings have been very positive. Late in the day we tested a new front tyre but we could not draw too many conclusions with it. Over these two days I have ridden very fast and the times have been good.”
6th Nico Terol 1.42.974 (65 laps): “This morning I started riding with the same bike as yesterday, and we went a tenth of a second faster than yesterday; the feeling was positive. We tried a new swingarm, which gives me a better feeling, has more grip and is more controllable when the bike slides. It makes the bike less nervy. After riding all morning with that bike, at noon I tried the new Suter chassis. It has a lot of potential, but we still have to work on it, especially when braking. In any case many conclusions have been drawn, which is something very positive and the engineers can continue to evolve the new bike during the winter. We still have one final day of testing in Valencia, on Monday, so I hope to continue to work just as well as up to now. I’m very satisfied.”
Source: Aspar Team
