Reale Avintia Racing riders completed a positive two-day-test at the modified Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit today. Hector Barbera and Loris Baz were able to test again the new Michelin front tyres that will be introduced in the championship from the next round, and both riders declared them selves satisfied with these two testing days in Barcelona.
Barbera continued working on his front feeling and he confirmed the positive feeling he had in the three laps he was able to complete during last Sunday race at Le Mans. The Spanish rider did a race simulation today and he finished the test with a best lap time of 1’44.469, only 0.4s from Jorge Lorenzo, the fastest Ducati at Montmelo today.
Loris Baz did 135 laps over the two days and he tried different solutions that during a race weekend are impossible to evaluate. Some of those tests were positive and, above all, the French rider was able to get the feeling with the new Michein front tyre. Baz also did a race simulation with positive conclusions.
This test was useful because the riders had the chance to work towards the Calatan Gran Prix that will take place at this track in just 16 days time. But before, the Reale Avintia Racing riders will head Tuscany, for the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello.
“This two days of testing in Barcelona were really important because I feel very strong riding my bike. At Jerez we did a big step forward, but we were not able to confirm at Le Mans due to the weather conditions over the weekend and the problem we suffered during the race. But here at Barcelona I felt good immediately with the bike and we improved even more my feeling with the front. We tested once again the new Michelin front and although the allocation is not the best for the race, we got a lot of positive information. Now we have to train hard for Mugello, where I hope to show that we are back on the pace.”
“It was a really positive test and we were able to test many stuff on the bike. Some of the test worked out, some not too much, but would be useful at other circuits. Overall it was a good test for us. It was also positive for Michelin as they were able to get information to keep working towards the race here at Barcelona. I got a good feeling with the new front and this is also a big positive. Today we completed a race simulation and my pace was okay. So I leave the test very happy. Now we have to recharge batteries before we’ll have four races in five weeks.”
