Yamaha debuted their developing 2012 prototype on track at Brno on Monday and Honda continued the evolution of their 1000cc machine, as the premier class remained for an extra day at the Czech Republic track for an official MotoGP Test.
With the weather allowing a full day of riding Yamaha Factory Racing riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies had their first shakedown of the 2012 prototype, with Lorenzo second on the timesheet with a best time of 1’56.253 from 28 laps on the evolving bike. His team-mate Ben Spies also enjoyed riding the new machine, setting a best effort of 1’56.306 from 24 laps which placed him third fastest, and the American ended his day early at the midway break. Both riders also rode their 800cc M1 machines, in which they tested new engine parts, a new fairing and chassis components.
In the Repsol Honda garage Dani Pedrosa was another rider who had a first taste of what the 1000cc capacity machines will offer next year, as the Spaniard rode the 2012 bike for the first time. He ran two 2012 machines with differing set-ups, registering a best time of 1’57.264 from 37 laps as part of a methodical workload. His team-mate and current Championship leader Casey Stoner also rode Honda’s 2012 spec bike – his second outing after riding at Jerez back in May – and was quickest around the Brno circuit with a time of 1’56.168 as he enjoyed the benefits of an updated chassis.
Valentino Rossi worked through a heavy schedule with his Ducati Team on the Desmosedici GP11.1, the bike he is riding this season, putting in 74 laps and posting a best effort of 1’58.266. The Italian tried a range of set-ups, focusing primarily on riding positions and bike height. Team-mate Nicky Hayden rode an initial early-morning run on the GP11 before focusing on the GP11.1 for the rest of the day, and the American was pleased with his progress as he lapped at 1’57.533.
The Marc VDS team were also present as they continued testing the Suter 2012 prototype. Mika Kallio got his lap time down to a 2’00.144 in a highly productive day, as he made big steps in the development of the bike – his fourth Test on it.
Elsewhere, Monster Yamaha Tech 3 riders Colin Edwards and Cal Crutchlow were both present, the American testing Bridgestone tyres and a Yamaha electronics package and the Brit a revised setting similar to the one he rode earlier in the season on their respective 2011 M1 bikes. Toni Elías (LCR Honda) and Loris Capirossi (Pramac Racing) were also both at the Test, as each rider looked to improve on what they had found during the GP weekend.