VINALES LEADS YAMAHA 1-2 IN POST CATALAN TEST

Maverick Vinales topped the times in the post Catalan Grand Prix MotoGP test, while Marc Marquez completed the most laps.

At the end of the day’s action, it was a Yamaha 1-2 with Vinales 0.137s faster than his factory Yamaha teammate Fabio Quartararo.

Impressively not only was Vinales the fastest at the end of the day with a 1m 39.4s time, but he also set 85 laps, the second most of anyone and just two shy of Marquez.

Vinales trialled a new carbon swingarm while Quartararo focused on playing around with different bike settings.

Vinales took over the top spot from his teammate Quartararo with just under 50 minutes of the test remaining, while LCR Honda rider Takaaki Nakagami rounded out the top three.

All four Honda’s completed a lot of laps, Nakagami was the fastest of the quartet just 0.302s off the pace of Vinales, and achieved 67 laps.

Aussie Jack Miller and the factory Ducati team mainly focussed on bike setup throughout the day, the Queenslander ended the day 14th, completing 49 laps. Miller felt the track was not perfect and his time reflected that statement, 0.842s off the pace of his good mate Vinales.

Reigning champion Joan Mir on his factory Suzuki briefly sat on top of the timesheets before being knocked back by the two Yamaha’s and Nakagami, however the Spaniard ended the day fourth.

His teammate Alex Rins, still recovering from fracturing his right radius was unable to take part, and as a result long-time Suzuki test rider Sylvain Guintoli stepped in and ended the day 19th fastest, completing 72 important laps for the Japanese manufacturer.

Miller’s factory Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia rounded out the top five despite a crash at Turn 5 in the afternoon.

Likewise factory Honda rider Pol Espargaro had a crash, his was at the fast Turn 9. Nevertheless, for Espargaro it was a very productive day as he ended the Catalunya test just 0.477s shy of Vinales and completed 72 laps.

Championship contender Johann Zarco was next, just over 0.5s down on the leading Spaniard.

Franco Morbidelli ended up eighth on the 2019 spec Yamaha, testing new Brembo brakes, his test ended after half a day in which he completed 39 laps.

Sunday’s race winner Miguel Oliveira was the best of the KTM riders in ninth just ahead of Petronas Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi, a positive sign for the 42-year-old Italian.

Marc Marquez ended the day in 11th 0.654s off the pace but 87 laps was a great sign that he is slowly recovering from his arm and shoulder injuries.

The six-time champion rode for several laps on an all-black bike which contained a new air intake, he also lapped with two different aero packages during the day.

Notably factory Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro did not attend the test due to arm swelling caused by arm pump surgery.

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