As the Sepang Shakedown and Official Tests approach, let's hark back to the Valencia Test to have a look at what the different manufacturers brought to the table for 2024 - and see what else might be coming in Malaysia.
APRILIA:
Understandably, Aprilia weren't the main focus of the day at the Valencia Test largely because most of their 2024 parts wouldn't appear until February's Sepang Test. However, despite not having the larger parts that make a difference, Aprilia were able to complete some valuable work.
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After setting the fastest lap of the day, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) admitted different swingarms were tested that offered slightly different development directions. In addition, Viñales also worked on a different aero setup, but the most intriguing part of Aprilia's day was Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing MotoGP™) getting his first taste of the 2023 RS-GP that also had some development parts for 2024.
After Aprilia - self-admittedly - failed to meet their 2023 expectations, how their 2024 bike shakes down in Sepang will be one of the bigger stories to keep an eye on. One thing in particular is that Trackhouse Racing MotoGP™'s Miguel Oliveira will also be on a 2024-spec RS-GP this season, a big step up from the 2022 bike he competed with last year. Eventually, Fernandez will have the same.
DUCATI:
“The best way to start with a new bike was like this” was how reigning World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) described his outing back at the Valencia Test. Corner entry was improved but the #1 was still searching for improvements on corner exit, but heading to the Sepang Test - and more recently on Michele Pirro's Desmosedici GP24 at the Shakedown - there will be one thing everyone will be looking at: Ducati's aero.
At the Ducati Lenovo Team launch, General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna admitted a significant aero change is on its way as the Italian marque search to make extra strides in an area they’ve been the leading light in for several years.
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The Sepang Test will also see the likes of Marc Marquez, his Gresini Racing MotoGP™ teammate Alex Marquez, and the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team duo of Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio get to grips with the latest 2023-spec Ducatis. The very latest ’23-spec is a machine Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) jumped on in Valencia, so we can expect the others to be doing the same in Malaysia.
HONDA:
Arguably the biggest manufacturer story of the Valencia Test was the former Kings of MotoGP™ - Honda. After four seasons of struggles, Honda come into 2024 in a unique position. No, not just having Marc Marquez riding for a different manufacturer. But an entirely new RC213V was unveiled in Valencia and the early signs suggest that they have appeared to make positive progress.
Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) was buoyed by the positive step forward, saying that for the first time he could feel that the bike was better and actively doing what he wanted it to do. The sudden change in the feel and performance of the RV213V came thanks to a completely overhauled bike. The chassis was new, so was the more extensive aero, and Honda had reportedly shaved eight kilos off the bike. This all added up to a bike that reportedly had better rear grip and felt easier to ride and, crucially, more front feeling. Something desperately needed.
Honda didn't have all their eggs in one basket at the Valencia Test though. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) did most of his running on the Misano-spec '2024' bike, one that met largely negative reviews that it felt different but didn't offer any major step forward in removing the weak points. It will be interesting to see how much this bike will feature - if at all - in Malaysia.
Honda's new recruits Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) and Johann Zarco (LCR Honda Castrol) weren't able to talk about their first laps with Honda. Judging from the timesheets and their general demeanour in the garage, things did seem positive - particularly for Marini, who finished the test as the top Honda.
Things are looking up for HRC heading to Sepang. A crucial six days on track await the Japanese giants to see how much deficit they've clawed back on their rivals.
KTM:
The big story in the KTM/GASGAS ranks was obviously Pedro Acosta’s (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) MotoGP™ debut. That’s one of the many incredibly intriguing topics that will be closely followed during both the Shakedown and Official Sepang Tests.
In terms of tech upgrades, both Brad Binder and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Jack Miller gave some new aero a runout in Valencia. Spotting the differences – thanks to KTM’s clever camo fairings – were trickier than normal though. In addition, KTM’s updated exhausts continued to appear, and the much-talked-about carbon chassis was put through its paces.
YAMAHA:
While there will be plenty of focus on Honda’s performance, Yamaha can expect the same sort of scrutiny in Sepang. In Valencia, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) tried a new engine, new aero and a new chassis. “Some positives, especially on the aero” were a snippet of the Frenchman’s thoughts at the end of play at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, while the engine seemed “a little better.”
Finding another step with the engine is something Quartararo is searching for in Sepang as both he and teammate Alex Rins get set to take part in the Shakedown for the first time since they were rookies. Other than the new bits, Yamaha continued to work on the different exhaust and swingarm that they'd been testing for a while.
The time for waiting is nearly over. The three-day Sepang Shakedown Test takes place on the 1st to the 3rd of February before the Official Test unravels between the 6th and 8th, as we await to see what each factory have been working on during the winter break.