With the conclusion of the third day at the Sepang International Circuit, the first pre-season test of 2020 for the Reale Avintia Racing Team has come to an end. After three intense and productive days of testing, team and riders were able to gather various data that will help the development and evolution of the Ducati Desmosedici GP19.
During the three sessions, Johann Zarco completed his first kilometres on his new Ducati. The French rider has been able to work on several configurations and on the adaptation and development of his bike. On the last day of the test, Zarco set a time of 1:58.951, more than a second and a half faster than his best time on Friday, after a total of 42 laps to the Malaysian circuit.
Tito Rabat stopped the clock in 1:59.549 after completing 59 laps, one second and two tenths of a second faster than his best time on Friday. In the final moments of the day the rain arrived to Sepang and he was forced to put an early end to the test. Throughout the three days the Spanish rider, step by step, worked on the adaptation to the tyres and was able to try new settings that allowed him to finish with good feelings.
The Reale Avintia Racing Team is now heading to the final pre-season test at Losail, which will take place from the 22nd to the 24th of February, two weeks before the start of the 2020 season at the same circuit.
“It’s been a good test. The first day was a little bit difficult. I think I can be faster, I still have to learn new things, but at the end of the third day I am happy because I see that the method I am following works well and with time I will be able to learn more. The bike has a lot of acceleration and I need to take advantage of it. I can’t wait to arrive to Qatar because we have three more days to improve and prepare for the start of the season. It is difficult to learn new things, but I feel prepared and I am very motivated.”
“We have been improving progressively during these three days, it has been a good test. We have to improve on the braking, but anyway I’m happy with the team and now the most important thing is to analyse the data collected and rest in order to reach 100% for the test at Losail.”
