Raul Fernandez Tops the Charts as Aprilia Dominates Post-Season MotoGP Test in Valencia

Valencia, Spain – Raul Fernandez spearheaded an Aprilia 1-2 finish at the post-season MotoGP test in Valencia, signaling a continuation of the Noale-based manufacturer’s strong performance from the final race weekend. Following Aprilia’s dominance in the Valencia Grand Prix, where Marco Bezzecchi secured victory with Fernandez in second place, the Italian team once again demonstrated its competitive edge in the official one-day test held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

The test day began under challenging conditions, as an overnight shower had washed away much of the track’s grip, leaving several damp patches on the surface. The session’s start was notably slow, with only Jack Miller and Maverick Vinales venturing out for installation laps. By noon, no timed laps had been recorded, prompting race organizers to take immediate remedial action to improve the track conditions.

Track Remediation and Session Extension

The session was temporarily halted with red flags as marshals deployed leaf blowers and trucks to dry the remaining wet areas. The midday break was canceled, and the session was extended by 30 minutes, pushing the end time to 5:30 pm local time (4:30 pm GMT) to maximize track time for teams and riders.

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With approximately four hours remaining, the green flag was waved, and Bezzecchi was the first to return to the track aboard the factory Aprilia RS-GP, which featured a heavily revised aero package. Several riders followed, with Fabio Quartararo setting an initial benchmark of 1m30.020s while testing Yamaha’s new V4-powered M1.

Bezzecchi then improved upon Quartararo’s time, becoming the first rider to break the 90-second barrier with a lap of 1m29.949s. KTM’s rising star, Pedro Acosta, soon surpassed Bezzecchi with a time four-tenths of a second faster. However, Fernandez quickly reclaimed the top spot for Aprilia with a lap of 1m29.501s.

Fernandez Secures Top Spot

In the final hour, Fernandez and Bezzecchi continued to exchange leading positions. Ultimately, Fernandez’s lap time of 1m29.397s proved unbeatable, securing him the top spot by a narrow margin of 0.027s.

Alex Marquez of Gresini Racing was the only other rider to come within a tenth of a second of the Aprilia duo. He finished third with a time of 1m29.457s, marking his first laps on the factory-spec Ducati GP26. Marquez’s teammate, Fermin Aldeguer, also made a significant late improvement, finishing fourth overall after navigating a challenging moment at Turn 14 while acclimating to the GP25.

Acosta finished fifth, making him the top KTM rider with a best time of 1m29.581s. He was closely followed by Vinales on the Tech3-run RC16. Fabio di Giannantonio finished seventh for VR46 after experiencing an early technical issue at Turn 1.

Nicolo Bulega, substituting for the injured Marc Marquez, completed another 45 laps for the factory Ducati team, finishing eighth. Brad Binder of KTM finished ninth, and two-time MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia rounded out the top ten, despite crashing at Turn 2 in the final hour on his GP26.

Ducati’s Retro Liveries and Honda’s Struggles

The factory Ducati riders sported special retro liveries in Valencia, while most other teams opted for unpainted bikes. Joan Mir was the fastest Honda rider, finishing 12th with a time of 1m29.872s, behind Ai Ogura of Trackhouse Racing. Johann Zarco and Luca Marini of LCR Honda finished 13th and 14th, respectively.

After leading the session early, Quartararo finished 15th on the best of the Yamaha bikes, only half a second behind Fernandez’s leading time.

Rookie Performances

MotoGP rookies Toprak Razgatlioglu and Diogo Moreira completed their first official sessions on MotoGP bikes, joining Pramac Racing and LCR Honda, respectively, for the Valencia test. Razgatlioglu, a three-time World Superbike champion, finished 18th with a best time of 1m30.667s, while newly-crowned Moto2 champion Moreira finished 21st.

Moreira rode in the familiar corporate colors of HRC, as LCR Honda’s partnership with Japanese oil giant Idemitsu, which previously dictated a red-and-white livery, ended following its split with Thai rider Somkiat Chantra.

Valentino Rossi’s protege, Celestino Vietti, made his MotoGP debut in the Valencia test, filling in for Franco Morbidelli, who sustained a fracture in his left hand during Sunday’s race. Vietti finished last, three seconds off the pace.

Team and Rider Backgrounds

• Aprilia Racing: Aprilia’s MotoGP team has seen significant growth in recent years, marked by consistent improvements in bike performance and strategic team management. The 2023 season has been a testament to their progress, with multiple podium finishes and race wins. Their RS-GP bike is known for its competitive engine and advanced aerodynamics, making it a strong contender on various track layouts.

• Raul Fernandez: Fernandez, a rising star in MotoGP, has demonstrated impressive adaptability and speed. His move to Aprilia has provided him with a competitive machine capable of challenging for top positions. Fernandez’s aggressive riding style and strong technical feedback have made him a valuable asset to the team.

• Marco Bezzecchi: Bezzecchi, riding for VR46 Racing Team, has also recently switched to Aprilia. He brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record, enhancing Aprilia’s lineup and contributing to the team’s overall competitiveness.

• Yamaha Factory Racing: Yamaha’s MotoGP effort has been focused on improving their new V4 engine and overall bike dynamics. While the 2023 season has been challenging, the team is committed to developing a competitive package for its riders, Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins.

• Fabio Quartararo: The 2021 MotoGP World Champion, Quartararo, has been a key figure for Yamaha. His talent and determination have pushed the team to seek improvements in their machinery. Quartararo’s feedback is crucial in developing the Yamaha M1 into a race-winning bike.

• Alex Rins: A new addition to Yamaha, Rins brings experience and a fresh perspective. His ability to quickly adapt to new bikes and provide valuable insights will be crucial in Yamaha’s development efforts.

• KTM Factory Racing and Tech3: KTM has been making strides in MotoGP, with their RC16 bike showing increasing competitiveness. The team’s investment in young talent like Pedro Acosta and their strong technical development program are positioning them for future success.

• Pedro Acosta: A highly-anticipated rookie, Acosta is known for his aggressive riding style and exceptional racecraft. His transition to MotoGP is expected to bring excitement and potential for strong results.

• Maverick Vinales: Riding for Tech3, Vinales has shown consistent performances, contributing to KTM’s overall development. His experience and adaptability make him a valuable asset to the team.

• Ducati Factory Racing and Gresini Racing: Ducati’s dominance in recent years has been driven by their powerful GP26 bike and strong team lineup. The addition of Alex Marquez to Gresini Racing further strengthens Ducati’s presence in MotoGP.

• Francesco Bagnaia: The reigning MotoGP World Champion, Bagnaia, is a key figure for Ducati. His consistency and ability to extract the maximum potential from the GP26 make him a formidable competitor.

• Alex Marquez: Alex Marquez brings experience and talent to Gresini Racing. His transition to the factory-spec Ducati GP26 is expected to yield improved results and contribute to the team’s competitiveness.

• Fermin Aldeguer: A newcomer to MotoGP, Aldeguer is highly regarded for his Moto2 performances and potential for growth. His adaptation to the GP25 will be closely watched.

• Honda Factory Racing and LCR Honda: Honda’s MotoGP program has faced challenges in recent years. The team is focused on developing a more competitive bike and regaining their position at the top of the sport.

• Joan Mir: Mir, a former MotoGP World Champion, is leading Honda’s efforts to improve their bike’s performance. His feedback and experience are crucial in the development process.

• Johann Zarco and Luca Marini: Riding for LCR Honda, Zarco and Marini are focused on contributing to Honda’s development efforts and achieving consistent results.

• Toprak Razgatlioglu: Razgatlioglu, a World Superbike champion, is highly anticipated in MotoGP. His first test with Pramac Racing is a significant step in his transition to the premier class.

• Diogo Moreira: Moreira, a Moto2 rider, is making his MotoGP debut with LCR Honda. His initial impressions and feedback will be valuable to the team.

• Celestino Vietti: Vietti, a VR46 Academy rider, is getting his first taste of MotoGP, filling in for the injured Franco Morbidelli.

Test Results:

1. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia) – 1m29.397s
2. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) – 1m29.424s
3. Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) – 1m29.457s
4. Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Ducati) – 1m29.562s
5. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – 1m29.581s
6. Maverick Vinales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) – 1m29.612s
7. Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati) – 1m29.710s
8. Nicolo Bulega (Ducati Team) – 1m29.741s
9. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – 1m29.749s
10. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Team) – 1m29.785s
11. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia) – 1m29.839s
12. Joan Mir (Repsol Honda) – 1m29.872s
13. Johann Zarco (LCR Honda) – 1m29.904s
14. Luca Marini (Repsol Honda) – 1m29.914s
15. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha) – 1m29.942s
16. Alex Rins (Monster Yamaha) – 1m30.235s
17. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – 1m30.319s
18. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pramac Ducati) – 1m30.667s
19. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda) – 1m30.941s
20. Michele Pirro (Ducati) – 1m31.521s
21. Diogo Moreira (LCR Honda) – 1m31.938s
22. Celestino Vietti (VR46 Ducati) – 1m32.439s

The Valencia test marks the end of track activities for MotoGP teams this year, with further testing scheduled to resume in the new year. The results from this test provide valuable insights into team development and potential performance heading into the next season.

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