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On the third and final day of testing at Phillip Island, it was Yamaha’s new boy Maverick Vinales who took honours, and made it three from three as he topped all other pre-season tests. The Spaniard was ahead of newly found rival Marc Marquez and his teammate, Dani Pedrosa, who sprung up the order after a tricky day one and two.

The British GP winner from last season racked up an impressive 101 laps on his #25 Movistar Yamaha, setting his best on lap 13. Vinales topped day 2 also, meaning that he can leave the Australian circuit with the upper hand as we approach Losail. His teammate however, did not fare so well. Valentino Rossi also set his quick lap on the 13th, but managed just over half of what Vinales completed. The Italian was languishing in 11th. Perhaps one too many pints last night, as the 9-time champion celebrated his 38th birthday.

Marc Marquez hounded Vinales for part of the session, sitting in the wake of the Yamaha man. The reigning champion put together 96 laps, and like yesterday, set his fastest lap early on, on lap 14. The Spaniard praised his long runs from day 2, in enabling him to ride a more comfortable bike with a more sophisticated electronics package. Dani Pedrosa shocked everyone by rocketing up the order on the final day, from as low as 16th yesterday to 3rd today. Dani, like Marc, worked on electronics and the setup of the bike for the race, despite not being able to complete a long run.

Jonas Folger continued to show the world why although only winning one Moto2 race last year and stepping on the podium a mere four other times, as he rounded out the test in 4th place. The German has incrementally gone about his business, making refinements to both the bike and his riding style. His teammate and reigning double Moto2 champion Johann Zarco was also happy with his testing performance, as he was one of 20 riders to get under the pole time from 2016 – despite being in 14th – although just over a second of Vinales.

Double Grand Prix winner Cal Crutchlow stormed to a solid 5th place at the final drop of the chequered flag. The Brit’s performance is backing up his strong latter half-of-season form from 2016. Crutchlow was ahead of new kid on Suzuki’s residential estate Alex Rins, who once again beat his teammate Andrea Iannone, meaning the Italian has work to do. Both Suzuki riders set their fast laps towards the end of the session, with Iannone ending up in a lowly and uncharacteristic 12th.

Behind Rins, the Ducati pairing of Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo. The two former champions struggled throughout the test, with the latter being in 15th after day 2. Both riders salvaged something though, putting the Ducatis in the top 10. Dovizioso was testing the bike, whilst Jorge Lorenzo continues to work through his program schedule in adapting to the fierce Bologna Bullet.

In 9th place, last year’s Dutch TT victor, Jack Miller. The local hero slotted his Estrella Galicia Honda nicely in the top 10, proving that last year’s successes were no fluke. He, like for the previous days testing, was the only Marc VDS rider testing, as Tito Rabat takes up the role as benchwarmer (or the MotoGP equivalent), as he recuperates from a fairly big crash in Sepang.

Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro was next up in 10th, as again he proves the Aprilia is a bike capable of threatening the serious end of the points. A string of laps which amounted to 65 come the chequered flag, the Barcelona boy set his best on the 61st of these. His teammate Sam Lowes was 21st, but only 1.6 seconds away from Maverick Vinales’ time, highlighting two things: the first is that the placings of riders in the test isn’t that relevant, and the 2nd is that MotoGP is ridiculously close, and if the whole field is under 2 seconds from the top man, then there is going to be some seriously hard riding – as ever – in MotoGP this season.

Danilo Petrucci was flying the Pramac Ducati flag in 13th place; the Italian leaving ‘The Island’ in one piece and with the Pramac team this year, unlike last year when he left the circuit with the Ambulance crew. His teammate, Scott Redding, was in 20th, but once again, being just 1.4 off the top on arguably the most daunting circuit of them all is nothing to be shy about.

Hector Barbera was in 15th position for the newly named Reale Espnsorama Racing outfit (Avintia to me and thee). The front row qualifier from last season’s German GP set his fastest lap on the penultimate lap of his session, whilst teammate Loris Baz was 17th, setting 71 laps and completing his best of them on lap 64.

Pol Espargaro was a pleasant surprise in 16th, as the Spaniard continued to improve and impress on the Red Bull KTM. The Austrian factory completed 135 laps with both riders, as Bradley Smith also climbed the order, up to 18th on the final day. Both under the pole lap from last year’s qualifying, although the conditions were poor.

Alvaro Bautista – arguably the revelation of testing so far – couldn’t improve on his time from day 2 and was fairly subdued in 19th place. The #19 said that they (the team) had not found an ideal setting, but that his confidence has grown with the Ducati. Teammate and WSBK refugee Karel Abraham was in last position on day three, but drew the positives, saying that his long run would be helpful in preparation to Qatar, as he acclimatises to not just a new bike and team, but new tyres, having never ridden on the MotoGP Michelins before.

After an eventful test, which saw red flags and animals on day one and incredibly quick lap times and surprises on day three, it’s fair to say that MotoGP has really been set up for yet another incredible season. Could we see 10 riders on the winners list this season? Stay tuned to find out. The next test will take place in Qatar, on the 10th – 12th of March (also the weekend of the Thai World Superbike round).

You can follow us @PitCrew_Online for all things two and four wheeled. You can follow me personally @MotoGPKiko for more original content and all things bike orientated, as we look forward to our third season together!

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

Alex Rins has shown that injury doesn’t always hinder you, as he goes to 9th place on the second day of testing. The Spaniard, who was way down the order on day 1, was keen to try the team’s solution to chassis issues, trying a variety of configurations.

The GSX-RR rider is still getting used to his new surroundings, but reports from the team suggest that his relationship with them is getting better, as his confidence with the bike is beginning to shine through.

The same could not be said for Austrian Grand Prix winner Andrea Iannone, who, after finishing 3rd on day 1, didn’t improve his time on day 2, placing him in 12th place. Iannone is also a new signing, with team boss David Brivio putting it down to “not being able to find a style that suits his needs.

“Today we tried different things; some new specs of the chassis and the new fairings. I feel comfortable. We took a big step since yesterday. Step-by-step, lap-by-lap, I can take better lines and so I can be more consistent”.

The Moto2 title challenger from 2016 went on to say: “We could improve a lot in the third sector. We are more consistent than yesterday, we gained a lot of corner speed and I’m happy we are working in the right direction.”

As for Andrea Iannone, he was not as optimistic. “Today’s been hard because we could not find a way to improve the lap time”, he began. “We are at a point where we still have work to do. Although, looking at the pace, I’m not that bad and it’s better than yesterday. I still don’t have 100% control of the machine; it’s only the second test, little-by-little”.

The Italian went on to say that his understanding of the behaviour of the bike must improve: “I need to understand how to attack the track to achieve a better lap time and how to best read the GSX-RR, but I believe this will come with time, after riding longer and longer. Now, we are focused on many aspects. We have many positives and we are working hard on our negatives.”

The test resumes tomorrow, for the final time.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

Aleix Espargaro has shown that he is one of the most versatile riders in GP, as he completed day 2 of the MotoGP Test at Phillip Island in 6th place for the Gresini Aprilia Team. The Spaniard, who was further down the order on day 1, trying out new chassis settings as well as working on a new riding style that will suit the Aprilia more.

The former Suzuki GSX-RR rider is still getting used to his new surroundings at the Italian manufacturer, but little by little, things are looking up for the former GP podium finisher. Although the bike has remained much the same, he is the one who is adapting to it, and not the other way around.

“We are improving. Yesterday we had already started in the right direction. Today we did a lot of chassis tests. I am more than satisfied with both my flying lap and with our pace during the race simulation, which is very important”. Aleix does however feel that the work is not done, and that they bike still needs refinements.

“The bike has not changed much compared with Malaysia, but my feeling on it increases constantly, especially with the front tyre and that is very important for my riding style. Now we need to keep improving our package.”

Although down the rear end of the timesheets, Sam Lowes, the teams 2nd rider was full of confidence. The plucky Brit and twin brother to Tech 3 replacement Alex Lowes, remains upbeat after shaving over a second off his time from day one.

“Today we worked well. I am happy. I continue discovering how these bikes need to be ridden and I’m beginning to figure out what I need to get my times down”, the 26 year-old stated. Lowes has faith that tomorrow, the test will bring better things.

“Riding the RS-GP here at Phillip Island is something special. I like the track and I am sure that tomorrow we will be able to take another step toward a good starting base for the 2017 season.”

Testing resumes tomorrow at the Phillip Island circuit.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

On a second sunny day at Phillip Island, it was former Moto3 champion and Movistar Yamaha’s new kid on the block Maverick Vinales who was sitting pretty at the top of timesheets. Fellow countryman Marc Marquez was in a comfortable 2nd and Britain’s Cal Crutchlow, who won the Australian Grand Prix last season, was in the bronze medal position.

Vinales, who was fastest in both the Valencia and Sepang tests, set his quick time early on, during his 21st lap out of a colossal 80 come the end of the day. His 1.28.847 was under the pole time from last season but still around 8 tenths off Jorge Lorenzo’s absolute best, set in qualifying for the controversial 2013 Australian GP.

Whilst I describe Vinales’ lap count as colossal, Marc Marquez put in the most of the day, registering 107 come the chequered flag at the end of the day. The reigning champion also set his time early doors, this time on his 20th lap. Despite suffering from a cold – and by that I don’t mean the wind chill factor at The Island – Dani Pedrosa clambered out of Repsol Honda hibernation and completed 40 laps, the fastest of which came on the 38th attempt, leaving the former double 250cc champion down in 16th.

Valentino Rossi’s electric start on day 1 had subsided into a power cut on day 2. Whilst the veteran Italian racked up 70 laps, he couldn’t match the time set on his 18th, leaving him way down the field in 8th place, despite fractionally improving on yesterday’s time. Valentino, like his helmet, may well be snowed under, perhaps his reasoning will be jet lag. The Yamaha corporation has been to Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines in the last 3 weeks, meaning that both riders will be drained, but of course, it would only effect the elder statesman of the team.

Although he may not like the term, Crutchlow was the top independent rider, finishing the day in 3rd. The Brit went faster than what he managed during race conditions in the Grand Prix last season, and was just 0.478 off of a scorching Maverick Vinales. Alvaro Bautista continued his impressive form ahead of 2017, proving that he still has what it takes to be a top half-dozen rider. The former 125cc champion took 4th place, finishing top Ducati – oh what a punch in the guts for the Factory Team.

Talking of a factory team, you’ll be wondering where Ducati got to. Dovizioso took 5th place on board the 2017 version, 0.6 off Yamaha’s Top Gun at the top. The new Ducati signing of five-time champion Jorge Lorenzo wasn’t looking to good down in 15th place, but the Spaniard is still adapting to the Italian bike. Lorenzo’s best time came on lap 32 of his 64, leaving him just over 1.3 seconds off the fastest time.

German Jonas Folger was in 7th place, the Tech 3 Yamaha rider taking the top rookie honours from Phillip Island. He was only marginally quicker than his fellow rookie and teammate Johann Zarco, who completed the day in 11th, a tenth and a half further back.

Carrying on the form from the back end of last season, the Factory Gresini Aprilias look the business in 2017. Aleix “Versatile” Espargaro took a great sixth place for the team, setting Aprilia’s fastest ever lap around Phillip Island, including both MotoGP and World Superbikes! His teammate and rookie to the class Sam Lowes stayed down the order in 22nd place but improved hugely, knocking one and a half seconds off his time from day 1.

The first Suzuki was that of Alex Rins. The rookie showing that he – and the Suzuki – have gelled immediately, despite the initial setback with his injury. He was within a second of the top spot, by former Suzuki man Vinales, so that will be his reference point as he continues to adapt to new surroundings in the dizzy heights of MotoGP. His teammate, Andrea Iannone was somewhat languishing on day 2, failing to improve on day 1’s time.

Completing the top 10 was Jack Miller. The Aussie at home looked like a good combination as he continued his pre-season preparations. The Dutch TT winner was the only Estrella Galicia machine out on the course, as Tito Rabat recovers from injuries sustained in a crash during the Sepang test.

Karel Abraham was a bit of a shock up in 13th place. The Czech and former GP winner is returning to the Grand Prix circus this season after a woeful season with Shaun Muir’s Milwaukee BMW squad over in WSBK. The Czech will be out to silence his critics – including myself – and so far, he’s doing a rather sterling job of it. He led a string of Ducatis, with Petrucci and Lorenzo in behind and rounding out the top 15.

After being a revelation of 2016, Hector Barbera was somewhat off the pace during the Phillip Island Test. The Spaniard rounding out day 2 in a lacklustre 17th, albeit only 1.5s off Vinales. Barbera, like many, set his fastest lap very early in the session. He was ahead of Brit Scott Redding, who begins his 4th season in the premier class. The Pramac Ducati rider completed 90 laps, setting his best on the 83rd. Although the placing may not be too clever, the former GP winner took a hefty 1.3 off his time from day 1, as well as jumping up the order by a couple of positions.

Behind him were the Red Bull KTM pairing of Pol Espargaro (19th) and Bradley Smith (22nd). In between them was Loris Baz, who in turn was just fractionally ahead of Aprilia’s Sam Lowes. The Red Bull KTMs took over half a second each off their times from day 1, as they continue to search for the machine’s sweet spot. Bradley Smith is said to be trying to change his riding style, the one which he picked up over the last four seasons on the Tech 3 Yamaha.

There are many things to withdraw from testing, but I personally feel that the Phillip Island test has proved the most fascinating, and maybe, the most indicative. Ducati struggling and Aprilia improving, as well as the Yamahas and Hondas warring, this could be yet another vintage season of Motorcycle Grand Prix racing. And there is yet more to come, tomorrow the testing continues and we will be in for a treat as the teams try to make the gains on the final day.

You can follow @PitCrew_Online for all the updates throughout the MotoGP season, including live text commentary for all the races and qualifying sessions from all the Grand Prix! You can also follow me, @MotoGPKiko for all things original, controversial and entertaining. I also put the odd statistic up to, so be sure to check that out too.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

Under more seasonable skies than have sometimes greeted the MotoGP paddock upon arrival for the race weekend at Phillip Island in October, the second Official Test of 2017 saw blue prevail over ‘The Island’, but a stiff breeze keeping the grid from heading out straight away – with new Ducati Team arrival Jorge Lorenzo one of the first to get down to work. By the end of Day 1, it was compatriot Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) who topped the timesheets, as the Spaniard put in a 1:29.497.

There were some crashes for the field including Hector Barbera (Reale Esponsorama Racing) and Sam Lowes (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), and two Red Flags on Day 1. One saw animals on track cause a short stoppage, before a crash for Lowes at Turn 6 – rider ok – damaged the tyre barrier and necessitated some repair work.

Marc Marquez, the reigning champion, was proving exactly why he is just that, as he spent the day working with the engine specification chosen in Sepang alongside teammate Dani Pedrosa. The reigning Champion put in 68 laps and set his best on his 53rd, which would seal the deal as Test Day 1 concluded with the 5 time champion on top. Team-mate Pedrosa, who spent most of the day in 4th before a late charge from some others in the top ten, ended the first session in seventh on a 1:30.281, after 55 laps.

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP held second on the timesheets for most of the latter part of Day 1, first with Maverick Viñales after the Spaniard had led the way, and secondly with 2015 and 2016 series runner-up, Valentino Rossi – who ended the day in P2 on a 1:29.683. The rider from Tavullia also saved a potential crash earlier in the session, as the Italian continues his rivalry with Marquez even in the crash department. Viñales, who did a best of 1:29.989 after 64 laps, didn’t better his time towards the end as his Suzuki replacement and Rossi’s fellow countryman Andrea Iannone did, moving down to P4.

Iannone rapidly climbed the timesheets for Team Suzuki Ecstar near the end of the day, taking third overall with a 1:29.926 after having spent much of the session outside the top ten. The “Maniac” completed 70 laps and set his fastest on number 68. Teammate and rookie Alex Rins did 66 laps as he gets to grips with MotoGP, setting a best of 1:31.432. We would like to report that no seagulls were injured in the making of Iannone’s fast lap.

LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow completed the top five with a 1:30.065, almost a second faster than his time from the official Grand Prix Qualifying back in October. Putting in a late charge to move up, the Brit did over 60 laps and set his fastest on his final run. Cal was another rider testing a version of the new specification engine for Honda, as well as Marc VDS rider Jack Miller.

Miller did 82 laps of his home track with a best of 1:30.426 – impressively ending the day in the top ten in P9. Miller’s teammate Tito Rabat is not at the test following a crash at Sepang, but is hoping to return for the Qatar test. Miller continues to come of age, following on from his win at Assen last season, as well as his impressive performances which saw him break the top 10 a total of 5 times from the 13 races he started.

Danilo Petrucci was another late charger as he moved up to end the session in sixth, just ahead of Pedrosa and fastest Ducati on Day 1. Putting in 87 laps as he gets used to life on his new GP17, the Italian also set his quickest lap on his last – a 1:30.262. Petrucci has so far stayed safe, after his horrendous accident at the pre-season test last year. His hand injury was so bad that it was thought it may curtail his season by around 7 or 8 races.

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) was the next Ducati machine, and the 2016 Malaysian GP winner ended the day in eighth with a 1:30.410. Charged with testing new parts and continuing the progress of the Desmosedici, “DesmoDovi” did 64 laps. New teammate Jorge Lorenzo continued his progress as he focuses instead on adaptation to the machine, spending much of the day in the top ten and one of the first out on track. The “Spartan” did 61 laps with a best of 1:30.631, just pushed down to P11 in the latter stages. It is clear that the Ducati team need to work hard at a circuit which they haven’t podiumed at since the departed Iannone took 3rd back in 2015.

Completing the top ten was the fastest rookie of the day: Jonas Folger (Monster Yamaha Tech 3). Impressing once again after a solid debut in Sepang, the German posted a 1:30.578 and did 62 laps. Folger’s form indicates that he isn’t making up numbers for 2017, and given the tumultuous form of MotoGP in the last couple of seasons, Folger will be looking to become the first German premier class winner since Edmund Czihak in 1974.

Teammate Johann Zarco, reigning Moto2™ World Champion, did 80 laps with a best of 1:30.867 to go P15.Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team), Hector Barbera and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) completed that top fifteen, ahead of Zarco.

Red Bull KTM Racing continue their progress in MotoGP™ as they prepare for their full-time debut in Qatar, with Pol Espargaro putting in a 1:31.200 as the fastest Austrian machine on Day 1.

Action resumes at Phillip Island on Thursday afternoon, or morning if you’re in a not-so-warm and sunny blighty, with the teams eager to get back out and squeeze in as much time as possible before the floodlights in Qatar come on, and the green lights in Qatar go out!

Marc Marquez – Fastest – Honda – 1.29.497

“We had a quite a busy day because we worked a lot on the engine, which of course is different from the one we used here at Phillip Island last year. That meant we had to readjust everything during the morning and spend a lot of time in the box. In the afternoon we found a base for the electronics, but we still need to work harder in this area. I’m fast, but like in Malaysia we want to double-check how it’s working in some areas. We also worked on the setup, and overall it has been a positive day. The weather was good, which is always important, so hopefully it will stay the same for the next two days.”

Valentino Rossi – 2nd – Yamaha – 1.29.683

“It was a good day, I’m quite satisfied. We started in a difficult way this morning. Before the break I wasn’t strong enough and because I couldn’t push at the maximum I didn’t have a lot of feeling. We worked well during the break and in the afternoon the situation changed, I was a bit better. At the end, with the new tyre, I was able to do a good lap and second position is positive for the first day. For sure, we still have a lot to do, especially on the long distance and we hope to have good weather also in the next few days.”

Andrea Iannone – 3rd – Suzuki – 1.29.926

“This morning was very difficult for us. The team couldn’t find the proper setting to feel confident. I struggled a lot. But then in the afternoon, we changed some settings and improved step by step. At the final stage I was happy because the machine improved, as well as the feeling of the bike and the pace. This is a very positive outcome, because it means we have the capability to overcome very hard situations and turn them into a positive. As of tomorrow, we have the chance to work on pace as well as single lap performance, and also introduce some more improvements. We are on a good path. My crew chief is as new as I am with the GSX-RR and it’s very important for us to learn and get to know it at its best.”

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko