Portuguese driver Miguel Oliveira (Aprilia) finished this Monday in 21st place in the first of two days of pre-season testing taking place at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar.
The Almada rider set his best lap with a time of 1.53.943 minutes, finishing 1.903 seconds behind the fastest, Italian double world champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), who ended the day testing all this year’s specifications. , including a new engine from the Italian manufacturer.
The day started calmly, with the track muddy from desert sand and heat. And only towards the end of the journey they began to install soft tires to try to show a faster time.
Oliveira set his best result on lap 47 of the 57 completed that day.
Spaniard Jorge Martin (Ducati) was second fastest, 0.220 seconds behind Bagnaia, with compatriot Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) third on 0.292. South African Brad Binder (KTM) was fourth with a score of 0.296.
Honda and Yamaha still have development problems.
Honda, orphaned by Marc Marquez for the first time in 11 years, did no better than the ninth record achieved by Frenchman Johann Zarco of the private LCR team, while Yamaha’s top performer was Gallic Fabio Quartararo in 10th.
Márquez continues his adaptation process to the Ducati and this Monday he didn’t even attempt any fast laps, preferring to work on his race pace and finishing with the 16th fastest time.
Tuesday will mark the second day of this test series, the last before the start of the World Cup, scheduled for March 10 in Qatar.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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