Viñales and Rossi produce stellar results for Yamaha in Jerez MotoGP test

Michelle Liew

July 7, 2019

Monster Energy Yamaha riders Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi get back into work in official MotoGP test in Jerez.

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

After an impressive run in the Spanish Grand Prix, Monster Energy Yamaha riders Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi cut short their celebration and got back to work. The riders geared up with their jackets for the official Jerez MotoGP test at the Circuito de Jerez- Ángel Nieto. They continued with the YZR-M1 development and tried new electronics solutions and came in 5th and 17th place respectively. Viñales scored the podium win for Monster Energy Yamaha during the weekend. The Spaniard made his decision to work on acceleration and smooth delivery of engine power. He also tried the grip of the two new Michelin rear tyres in the hotter conditions. He managed to hit 94 laps and set a record of 1’37.226s on lap 90. As for Rossi, the Italian decided to go for a similar testing programme to improve his bike performance. He clocked 74 laps in total and produced his best record on lap 59 with 1’38.056s.

Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha)- As It Happened

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

“We tested many items today. I did a lot of laps on race tyres, which wasn’t bad. I was riding quite well over a race distance, but anyway we need to keep improving. Le Mans is a track where the grip level is quite good, so I’m not too worried about it. It’s a good track for me, so my mind is already there at the French GP. We have found some positives and negatives in today’s test, as always, but nothing special. There are still some things to improve, especially on my side, my riding style, and we need to find something to improve the traction. But I’m not worried because my race pace was there, I was feeling close to the top,” says Viñales as quoted from Yamaha Racing.

Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha)- As It Happened

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

“We had a programme for today. We had some things to try to improve the package, especially working on the acceleration, on the grip, all these things. The test wasn’t too bad. We didn’t find something that will change our lives, but there were some details that, if you put them all together in the package, maybe we can be stronger. I also had to try the two tyres for Michelin. These are two tyres we will use in Austria and Buriram.