Round01 Lusail/Qatar [8-10 Mars 2024]

[desmolo]

merci Danlos pour ce réveil de début de saison, je ne me rappelais même plus qui avait changé de catégorie

[danlos]

Envoyé par desmolo

merci Danlos pour ce réveil de début de saison, je ne me rappelais même plus qui avait changé de catégorie

Mais justement, c'est pour ça, voir qui est chez qui! Et les nouvelles couleurs!



Je viens de voir sur Twitter des messages de Neil Morrison, journaliste/commentateur sur les Moto2 et Moto3, c'est en anglais, mais on comprends ce qu'il veut dire

Moto2:

En gros, Joe Roberts est content de parler anglais dans son team, Manuel Gonzalez content de retrouver les Pirelli qu'il connaissait du Supersport et qu'il aime le pneu avant.
Aron Canet régulier, et que Ajo, IntactGP et Aspar sont passés de Ohlins à WP.

Je pense que le changement Ohlins => WP pourrait avoir des impacts en ce début de saison, le temps de s'adapter.

First Moto2. Fermin Aldeguer was the fastest of the test despite a crash on the final day. Rhythm wasn't amazing as he tested new Speed Up chassis. Manager Hector Faubel told me *every* MotoGP factory showed an interest in him over winter. A definite favourite.
Maybe story of the test was reemergence of Joe Roberts (P2). So happy to be back at American Racing & a team communicating in English. Asked about Pirellis said, “I love ‘em.” Jerez normally isn’t a great track so to be top 2 every day bodes well
Manu Gonzalez (P3) has experience of Pirellis from WorldSPP. Big fan of the front tyre in particular. Fitted into Gresini immediately and very confident on used rubber. Drastically improved fast lap on final day, too.
Big ? regarding performance of Pirelli’s rear tyre. But Aaron Canet was in a class of his own over a longer distance. Lap 22 was just 0.5s slower than his first flyer. Not a bad drop. First days in Fantic team ‘like being with a new girlfriend.’
Tony Arbolino had a massive crash on day 2 at T1 but was OK. Been getting used to Pirellis by riding his R1 & R6 with them over winter. Decent 1 lap speed (big problem last year). But still some way off over a longer run.
Ai Ogura’s switched to new MSI team (formerly Pons) on Boscoscuro chassis. A big change but he’s brought crew chief + 2 others with him from Honda Team Asia. Impressed by chassis’ ability to manage rear tyre. Also, he’s fully fit – not able to say that often in ’23.
What of Jake Dixon (12th)? Aspar (+ Ajo & Inact) switched from Ohlins suspension to WP and still finding their way. Dixon frustrated at Jerez, & asked WP for a bit more urgency. Still looking for a base but has stayed calm – said he mightn’t have managed that in the past.

Average lap time from long runs over last 2 days:

Canet – 1m 41.093s (22 laps)
Roberts – 1m 41.17 (8)
Chantra – 1m 41.35s (20)
Gonzalez – 1m 41.443 (21)
Ogura – 1m 41.534 (18)
Oncu – 1m 41.593 (19)
Arbolino – 1m 41.609 (22)
Aldeguer – 1m 41.768 (10)
Vietti - 1m 41.777 (22)

Moto3:
Rueda largement le plus rapide et le plus régulier.

Everyone was amazed by lap times & rhythm of Jose Antonio Rueda (P1). 1.7s under previous absolute lap record. Also, his 18-lap run on day 2 was insane, 0.4s faster *per lap* than anyone else (bar Holgado). Adapted to new KTM & Pirellis immediately.
David Alonso (P2) was quick but still taking time to get used to KTM’s all new ‘24 bike. Many saying it needs a big riding style adjustment, less focussed on heavy braking. Still blindingly fast over a fast lap.
Collin Veijer (6th) is poised for another great year. Spent winter training in Spain & kept same crew as ’23. Now longest serving rider in Intact’s Moto3 team, and feels comfortable in role. Longer run on Friday fairly handy.
Dani Holgado had a big crash in Portimao & banged his left wrist. Told me he feels OK but couldn’t do longer runs. Already comfortable on new bike and expects to be up there in Qatar.
A higher up in KTM’s Moto3 project told me they expect 5 of their riders to fight for title: Rueda, Alonso, Holgado, Veijer and Ivan Ortola. Now at MSI, he spent most of longer runs in slipstream of new team-mate Ryusei Yamanaka (& vice versa).
And what of Honda? Fair to say updates didn’t quite deliver. New engine has better top speed but being blown away by KTMs in lower gears. One Honda team manager *seriously* unimpressed, was already writing season off in Jerez.

Average time from longer runs over the last 2 days:

Rueda – 1m 44.453 (18 laps)
Holgado – 1m 44.710 (5)
Veijer – 1m 44.848 (14)
Yamanaka – 1m 45.33 (14)
Alonso – 1m 45.515 (19)
Ortola – 1m 45.578 (16)

[Big Horn]

Intéressant, comme d'habitude les temps sur un tour ne reflètent pas le potentiel en rythme de course en Moto2, Canet gère le mieux la dégradation pour le moment. Il faudra un temps d'adaptation pour en extraire le max sur la durée d'une course mais ils sont déjà bien plus performants que les Dunlop.
Et en Moto3 c'est une looongue saison qui s'annonce pour les teams Honda.