NEW tyres, new electronics packages and a new team for Jack Miller — but it was still a mid-pack finish for the Aussie in MotoGP testing at Valencia for 2016.
Miller was 16th after two days of testing with riders trying to accustom themselves to the new Michelin tyres, as well as gathering data for next year.
After moving with his Honda-backed crew to the Marc VDS squad for next season, Miller enjoyed his first opportunity to ride a factory-spec bike.
Two-time championship winner Marc Marquez was fastest on both days of testing with a 1:31.060, lapping under 2015 MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo’s lap record set just a week ago.
Miller’s fastest time was 1:32.100 but he said speed wasn’t the only important factor in the testing process.
“Getting a feeling for the tyres has been one key point of this test and going fast has been another,” Miller said.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time on the new bike over the two days; the electronics and the seamless gearbox make a big difference.
Marc Marquez was fastest in testing for 2016.Source:Getty Images
“You don’t have to worry about keeping the bike in a straight line or it stepping out unexpectedly, so you can focus on the other things, like trying to hit the same line on every lap.”
Learning the new tyres was a real process for every rider, with 10 of the 25 crashing on day one of testing.
Miller himself had three of what he called “small offs”, but said “that’s to be expected when you’re pushing on new tyres.”
“The Michelin tyres are great, but they are very different in character to the Bridgestones and we will need time to make the transition.”
Miller’s new teammate Tito Rabat finished testing 18th, .302 seconds behind the Aussie, while 2015 champion Jorge Lorenzo finished fifth.
Lorenzo’s rival Valentino Rossi was seventh.
MOTOGP VALENCIA TEST 2016 RESULTS
1. Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team — 1:31.060
2. Maverick Vinales, Team Suzuki Ecstar — 1:31.163
3. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team — 1:31.180
4. Aleix Espargaro, Team Suzuki Ecstar — 1:31.212
5. Jorge Lorenzo, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP — 1:31.282
6. Cal Crutchlow, LCR Honda — 1:31.494
7. Valentino Rossi, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP — 1:31.498
8. Pol Espargaro, Monster Yamaha Tech 3 — 1:31.619
9. Andrea Iannone, Ducati Team — 1:31.619
10. Bradley Smith, Monster Yamaha Tech 3 — 1:31.694
11. Danilo Petrucci, Octo Pramac Racing — 1:31.717
12. Loris Baz, Avintia Racing — 1:31.796
13. Scott Redding, Octo Pramac Racing — 1:31.901
14. Hector Barbera, Avintia Racing — 1:31.937
15. Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team — 1:31.967
16. Jack Miller, Marc VDS Racing Team — 1:32.100
17. Eugene Laverty, Aspar MotoGP Team — 1:32.377
18. Tito Rabat, Marc VDS Racing Team — 1:32.402
19. Stefan Bradl, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini — 1:32.492
20. Yonny Hernandez, Aspar MotoGP Team — 1:32.510
21. Alvaro Bautista, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini — 1:32.847
22. Michele Pirro, Ducati Team — 1:33.568
23. Takuya Tsuda, Suzuki Test Team — 1:33.797
24. Mike Di Meglio, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini — 1:34.372
25. Nobuatsu Aoki, Suzuki Test Team — 1:37.031
[Source:- news.com]