Despite poor weather conditions, Stefan Bradl made the best out of the situation from a two-day test at the Andalucian Circuito de Jerez earlier this week.
In contrast to last week’s Aragon test, Bradl couldn’t do as many laps there last Monday and Tuesday as bad weather affected his second test aboard the Honda Superbike very much. After a rainy first day, the situation improved slightly on Tuesday as the sun came out after lunch time.
However, on a soaked track Bradl and his crew worked on finding a good basis setup for such conditions during Monday’s outings at the Southern Spain’s circuit, as well they prepared for possible flag-to-flag races next year. The Honda rider put in 35 laps during which he mainly tried adjustments to the electronics regarding the engine break. During the next day it took till late afternoon when the 4.4 kilometres long track dried out so far, so that he was able to start working with slick tyres finally.
Despite this less effective stay in Jerez this week, Bradl heads into the winter break in confident mood now.
#6 Stefan BRADL (Honda World Superbike Team, Honda CBR1000RR SP), 1´42.5 (55 Laps in total):
“Unfortunately, our Jerez test was less productive because the weather completely has wrecked up our plans. During the first day, I just did 36 laps. But this has brought some findings about the tyres at least and indeed, how the feeling is with Pirelli rain tyres. In this regard, I could gain first sensations for it and our exits in these circumstances were quite ok, so we made the best of the situation. On the second day, weather wise it was a bit better. But due to the poor track conditions I also did just about 20 laps because the track never completely dried out. There remained always wet patches. Therefore, we could not try and test any great chances to the bike as the track’s conditions didn’t allow us to work properly. It’s a pity, that these two days were not as valuable as our test in Aragon last week where I was able to get familiarized to the new bike for me as well to my new team a bit already. But my first sensations with Honda in World Superbike, as well with the bike itself are very positive. This is also important because I can go with good feeling into the winter break now. But I’m already very excited about the new Honda Superbike which we will for the first time in January. But before that, it is time to calm down and relax, recharging energy and then to start the 2017 season with fresh motivation.”
Stefan Bradl was satisfied on a whole about his performance during the opening day for the season’s final race in Valencia this Sunday.
The season’s finale got underway under bright skies and such as pleasant temperatures so teams and riders were able to make good progress in respect for their preparations for Sunday’s race at the tricky Valencian circuit. In point of view from Stefan Bradl, Friday sessions went rather unspectacular and without any major problems. Nevertheless, he has doubts as to whether a qualification for Q2 will be possible, which is set to decide the starting grid for the first four rows.
#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia), FP1: P16 – 1´32.845 (11/21) / FP2: P16 – 1´32.014 (19/22):
“Today’s opening sessions went rather calm. We made good progress without making any dramatically changes to the bike. In general, we’re lacking in top speed but there were no special problems. We just need to improve a few details. Based on our analysis of the data records we will surely be able to find solutions and improvements for tomorrow. On a track like this, the bike’s handling is still somewhat of cumbersome. Above all, the engine management and mapping doesn’t fit yet. But these shouldn’t be a great task. Regarding the tyre choice, there no big question marks for the rear whereas we still must do some further tests with the front tyre. For the moment, I prefer the medium compound. In any case, we need to look how we can get a little faster on Saturday. But Q2 is always a big task. I also must admit honestly, that I like the bike with this very special livery. It’s definitely a commendable initiative that I support 100 percent.”
MotoGP™ Combined Free Practice Times FP1/FP2:
1 #99 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 1´30.463 (FP2)
2 #93 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 1´30.710 +0.247 (FP2)
3 #25 Maverick VINALES / SPA / Team SUZUKI ECSTAR / Suzuki / 1´30.775 +0.312 (FP2) 16 #6 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / 1´32.014 +1.551 (FP2)
After a disappointing Sepang weekend, Stefan Bradl hopes for more success at the season’s finale in Valencia.
The 2016 edition of the Malaysia Grand Prix was weather affected over the entire course of the weekend. For race day, several subtropical downpours where the reasons for a hectic Sunday. Shortly before the start of the MotoGP race it started to rain that much violently that the starting procedure has been cancelled and moved. However, the following wet race didn’t have any influence to Stefan Bradl’s performance. Lost practice time due to the changeable weather had a particularly bad effect in respect to the bike’s setting. A low-sider at halfway stage of the race stopped all efforts for a conciliatory conclusion of the Malaysia weekend.
The series returns to Europe now where Valencia will host the season’s finale in two weeks.
#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia), 17th (WM-Position 16, 60 points):
“I’m very disappointed because the weekend has not gone as I had imagined. With the new engine and also the new airbox we had lots of problems in respect to set up the mapping and electronics. Aprilia brought an update engine wise for this race which was necessary surely. But unfortunately, a few inconsistencies occurred during the first on-track developement with these components. The steady changing weather conditions has made it all more difficult because we had very little practice time under dry and stable conditions. Because of all these circumstances, it was difficult to stick with the group in front of me. The handling of the bike wasn’t optimal and for this it wasn’t possible to ride as smart and smoothly. There was nothing left for me than to try and act breaking even harder. Unfortunately, I crashed in turn one when I lost the front. This, of course, wasn’t a glorious conclusion of the weekend but by then the race went disappointing. It was from the beginning a difficult race without any prospects of an enjoyable outcome. Sepang is thus checked off and I already look forward to Valencia, where we will give everything to make it better.”
MotoGP™ Malaysia GP – Race Classification after 19 Laps:
1 #4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO / ITA / Ducati Team / Ducati / 42´27.333
2 #46 Valentino ROSSI / ITA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / +3.115
3 #99 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / +11.924 17 #6 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / +52.784
MotoGP™ World Standings:
1 #29 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 273
2 #46 Valentino ROSSI / ITA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 236
3 #99 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 208 16 #6 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / 60
Next race: 13th November, Circuito de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo / Valencia, Spain
Stefan Bradl failed to make it through Q2 during Saturday’s FP3 narrowly before a harmless low-sider robbed his last chance in Q1.
Changeable weather was again the reason for a hectic schedule on day two of practice at the series’ visit to Malaysia. Like the previous day, the track’s conditions were dry in the morning but due to a heavy downpour during Moto3 qualifying, this session has been red flagged because of too much water on the track. Afterwards the weather remained stable but the 5.5 kilometres long circuit was drying just slowly. The following MotoGP sessions with FP4 and two qualifying sessions took place on a wet or later a damp track. Stefan Bradl went confident into Saturday, to make it through Q2 again this time. But finally, he missed it by three tenth of a second after FP3. So Bradl was forced to try and make it during Q1 and he also was fast on a wet track. But a low-sider at turn nine was costly in terms of practice time as well he had to switch to his No. two bike. Till the end of the session he could do just two fast laps which were not enough.
The schedule for race day sees starting time for the penultimate MotoGP points haul this year at 3.00 pm local time which means 8.00 CET.
#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia), Grid position 16th – 2´13.850 (5/5):
“I think, we were a bit unlucky regarding to our timing today. It requires a couple of laps to setup the mapping to the new engine. But it was required to configure it because the feeling is getting better and better under these conditions if you’re able to do as many as possible laps during an exit. However, I’m quite satisfied with our bas setup. At this track, there many good points for overtaking and our pace is definitely better than 16th spot on the grid. This means for dry and also under rainy conditions.”
MotoGP™ Qualifying Classification:
1 #4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO / ITA / Ducati Team / Ducati / 2´11.485
2 #46 Valentino ROSSI / ITA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 2´11.731 +0.246
3 #99 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 2´11.787 +0.302 16 #6 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / 2´13.850 (Q1)
Despite changing weather conditions, Stefan Bradl could find a good feeling for the Sepang circuit and his Aprilia RS-GP straight away.
Friday at Sepang, it was the first opportunity for teams and rider to get first impressions aboard their machines about the completely re-surfaced track. However, both sessions took place in mixed conditions though the track’s conditions allowed to go out with slicks during in the morning at least. Opposite to that, FP2 in the afternoon was run on a drying track after a heavy downpour hit the Sepang International Circuit shortly before lunch time. Stefan Bradl and his crew first started with rain tyres before changing to intermediates for the final stages of the session. Finally, he was recorded with eight fastest time in the afternoon.
#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia), FP1: P12 – 2´02.164 (16/16) / FP2: P8 – 2´10.283 (14/14):
“Today’s practice session were definitely affected by the weather. Already this morning it wasn’t an easy task out there as there were many wet patches on track. Towards the end of the session, lap time were good but there is more to come. In the afternoon, we started with a rain setup and later we changed to intermediate tyres to better the times. Anyway, both sessions weren’t productive but I’m able to say that I feel comfortable with the bike. Hopefully we’ll have more stable conditions tomorrow in order to be able to prepare in the best possible way for the race.”
MotoGP™ Combined Free Practice Times FP1/FP2:
1 #93 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 2´01.210 (FP1)
2 #25 Maverick VINALES / SPA / Team SUZUKI ECSTAR / Suzuki / 2´01.478 +0.268 (FP1)
3 #45 Scott REDDING / GBR / OCTO Pramac Yakhnich / Ducati / 2´01.507 +0.297 (FP1) 12 #6 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / 2´02.164 +0.954 (FP1)
Stefan Bradl looks forward in expectantly mood to this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix, as he counts the Sepang circuit to his favourites. But a completely re-surfaced track is the biggest unknown for this weekend.
This year’s Asia/Australia race is a pleasing trip for Bradl thus far. After he finished in tenth position in Japan, he crossed the line in eleventh position last Sunday at Phillip Island. But even more pleasingly, he made it through Q2 last weekend. However, the 26-year-old German MotoGP rider heads into the season’s penultimate round expectantly not only due to this reasons and his consistently growing performance aboard the RS-GP prototype, but also due to his preferences for the 5.5 kilometres long Malaysian circuit. But this time there were some unknown facts due the new tarmac and for the slightly changed turn 15.
The time schedule for the final flyaway race requires again an early wake-up call due the difference in time with six hours to Central Europe. But Saturday night the change to winter time will take place which means an additional hour though for this starting time for the race is set for Sunday 3:00pm local time which means 8:00am CET.
#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia) – WM-Position 16 (60 Punkte):
“I’m really looking forward to Sepang. I like this track a lot and also enjoy riding there always though the conditions are often very demanding. But this time, Sepang is somewhat of an unknown affair. I’m very excited about the new tarmac which hopefully offers a good grip level. Despite that I think, that the Sepang circuit should suite our package well. At least it was the case last year and this was our best race in 2015. In any case, it would be nice if we could do just as well this time in order to conclude this trip with a further strong result.”
