The three day CRT test is continuing at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, and yesterday (Tuesday) saw almost all the riders present bin their CRT Aprilia’s and it also the fiery death of Ducati GP12, all probably due to an unexplainable lack of grip or some oil on track from a previous crash.
Aleix Espargarò who is recovering from a flu bug was caught out twice having problems in corner exit as the bike runs wide.
Aspar team mate Randy de Puniet also crashed, but left the day as the fastest rider on track.
Danilo Petrucci riding the Ioda Tr003 also binned it, and seriously damaged the steel trellis Ioda made chassis that debuted for the first time on Monday, Petrucci also sprained his hand in the highside.
The Italian rider also said that their bike is a ’stock’ issue with 20hp less than the Aprilia’s, they don’t have the carbon brakes yet and the electronics package has yet to be developed.
Karel Abraham who was filling in on testing duties for Nicky Hayden crashed out Ducati’s test team GP12, and the bike ended up being roasted with only the rear end saved from the flames.
Ducati’s mechanics had their work cut out for them because today the GP12 was to be tested by Hector Barbera.
James Ellison finally got his chance to ride the PBM Aprilia, after spending Monday concentrating on set-up.
He rode 36 laps on the ART bike, which was equipped with steel brakes as the team will receive the carbon ones only at Aragon and trying to adjust to the all new bike.
Mattia Pasini put in the most laps of all the riders on his Speed Master ART bike trying to build up more confidence saying that the ART is a ‘real GP bike,’ but he was a second slower than Randy de Puniet.
Italy’s Sportmediaset has a short video of the Jerez test on their website, if the video is available in your country check it out here.
Very unofficial test times supplied by the teams, with no times listed for the Ducati riders.
1.
Randy De Puniet – ART- 1′40.
9 (50 laps),2.
Mattia Pasini – ART – 1′42.
0 (53 laps),3.
Aleix Espargar√≤ – ART – 1′42.
6 (45 laps),4.
Danilo Petrucci – IODA TR003 – 1′43.
3 (34 laps),5.
James Ellison – ART – 1′44.
4 (36 laps)Photo source motogp.
com