NAKAGAMI FASTEST, GARDNER HURT IN MOTOGP TESTING
Takaaki Nakagami topped the timesheets and Remy Gardner was left sore after the first day of MotoGP World Championship post-season testing at Jerez Circuit.
Nakagami set a 1m 37.313s on the brand-new Honda RC213V bike to close out the day on top, heading Ducati’s Johann Zarco by 0.043s.
Zarco completed 78 laps, the second most of any rider, while Enea Bastianini was third fastest on a windy day in southern Spain.
There were mixed results, however, for the Aussie contingent of Gardner and Jack Miller.
In his second official MotoGP test with the KTM satellite Tech3 outfit, Gardner suffered a rib injury while riding his machine, forcing him to take a conservative approach in his riding.
The 23-year-old clocked a 1m 40.170s, the 24th fastest time on the day.
Speaking post-test, Gardner explained that it had been a difficult day at the office.
“In the morning I was starting to feel pretty good with the bike and starting to improve a little bit,” Gardner said.
“During a fast change of direction pulling on the bike, on the handlebars, one of my ribs popped and cracked big time and started to really hurt.
“In the end I took some painkillers and tried to finish off the day trying to run a bit smoother, but it’s been a painful day riding.
“I don’t want to be crashing at the moment, I’m tender.”
Regardless, the promoted Australian appreciated the experience on a top-tier bike.
“It was a fun day,” Gardner said.
“The power is pretty gnarly.
“I knew what was coming from the tests in Misano but the brakes as well are crazy.
“The electronics are another big thing that I’m trying to wrap my head around.
“I’ve still got plenty of days to go and just want to finish the season in one piece at this point.”
Miller was also in action with the factory Ducati team, setting the eighth fastest time of the day just ahead of 2021 Champion Fabio Quartararo.
The Queenslander had a new engine to himself for the day, completing 61 laps.
His teammate Franceso Bagnaia was just outside the top three, lapping fourth fastest on Day 1.
Maverick Vinales put in a strong session with his new team Aprilia Racing, setting a 1m 37.674s.
Alex Rins and Franco Morbidelli were the other riders to crack 1m 38s, finishing up sixth and seventh, respectively.
Miller was eighth, while Quartararo and Brad Binder rounded out the top 10.
Gardner’s Moto2 rival and fellow graduate Raul Fernandez set the 19th best time.
