Joerg Teuchert
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Yamaha tests mechanical components and seeks acceleration improvements at Aragon test
Five riders from three teams traveled to the MotorLand Aragon site for testing as defending champion Toprak Razgatlioglu topped the timesheets
Three Yamaha teams traveled to MotorLand Aragon to continue their preparations for the 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship as Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK were joined on the track by GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team and Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha at the Spanish venue . Originally scheduled for Thursday and Friday, the threat of bad weather forced all three teams to hit the track on Wednesday for a brief race before the rain fell.
Defending champion Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) continued his off-season testing before defending his title by taking the lead in the timesheets at Alcañiz with a time of 1:49.746. The Turkish star completed 84 laps on Thursday throughout the day, adding to his 26 laps on Wednesday for a total of 110. Razgatlioglu’s fastest lap was faster than any race lap of the heat. ‘Aragon 2021 and faster than any previous Yamaha race lap on the site. .
Team-mate Andrea Locatelli was third fastest, two-tenths behind his team-mate, but did the most laps of anyone in the test as he racked up 30 on Wednesday and 85 on Thursday for a total of 115. Pata Yamaha was primarily working on the mechanical side of their Yamaha YZF-R1 machine throughout the test, including electronic shifts, as well as research to improve the acceleration of the bike to help improve overall engine performance and Passed the entire test using Pirelli’s SC0 tyre. On the Locatelli garage side, we were also working on the suspension of his machine including different links.
It was a solid test for Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) in his first test and that of the 2022 off-season team. The American posted a time of 1:49.820, just 0.074 seconds off the clock. of Razgatlioglu and chained 106 laps over the two days of testing: 21 on Wednesday and 85 on Thursday. Gerloff will rely on his strong pace to test transfers to racing when the action begins in Aragon as he sets out in search of more podium visits throughout his third year in WorldSBK.
Gerloff’s teammate Kohta Nozane was fourth fastest in his first appearance at the 2022 trials with a time of 1:51.238s. The Japanese rider, entering his second season in WorldSBK, completed 90 laps; 16 Wednesday before adding 74 Thursday. GRT Yamaha was able to test the same tank that Razgatlioglu used in the Portimao test focusing throughout the two days primarily on rider position and bike balance.
Christophe Ponsson completed the Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha field as the Frenchman completed 84 laps over the two days, adding 74 on day two of the test to the 10 he completed on Wednesday. Now in his second season with the family team, Ponsson clocked a best time of 1’52.341s throughout the test as he seeks consistent top 10 finishes.
WorldSBK time since Aragon test
1 Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) 1’49.746s, 110 laps
2. Garrett Gerloff (Team GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) 1’49.820s, 106 laps
3. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) 1’50.021s, 115 laps
4. Kohta Nozane (Team GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) 1’51.238s, 90 laps
5. Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha) 1’52.341s, 84 laps
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Read more from a press release issued by the GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team:
GERLOFF AND NOZANE COMPLETE TWO PRODUCTIVE TEST DAYS IN ARAGÓN
The GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team wrapped up its first outing of the 2022 season with two days of testing in Aragon. Plans changed a bit upon arrival in Spain due to unpredictable weather conditions forcing the team to revise the schedule and anticipate action from March 2 already.
With massive rains expected on Friday March 4, Kohta Nozane and Garrett Gerloff hit the track from Wednesday to finally start their 2022 campaign after being away from their bikes for so long. The first day served both to regain feeling and confidence, more than to plan their next steps.
Anyway, the GRT Yamaha WorldSBK team couldn’t fully enjoy the first day due to difficult weather conditions. With the track open from 1:00 p.m. local time, Gerloff and Nozane were able to do a few laps but light rain forced them to stop after a few hours.
Both drivers tried to get back on track late in the afternoon as the track seemed to dry out, but more rain fell forcing the team to complete the first day of testing. So, in the end, Garrett was able to do 21 laps with a best time of 1.51.381 while Kohta did 16 laps with 1.53.465 as his fastest lap.
On the second and final day things were much better with a sunny Thursday. The air and the asphalt were good and both Nozane and Gerloff could do a lot of laps. The GRT Yamaha WorldSBK tested new parts brought by Yamaha, such as the tank and the saddle, with positive feedback. 1.49.820 was Gerloff’s best time (85 total laps), while 1.51.238 was Nozane’s (74 total laps)
Gerloff and Nozane will therefore not return to the track on March 4 because the weather forecast announces a lot of rain on the circuit. This is why the GRT Yamaha WorldSBK team has decided to cancel this day of testing.
The next pre-season test sessions are scheduled for March 16 and 17 at Misano.
Garrett Gerloff: “It’s so epic and nice to be back on my Yamaha R1 after a long time. Yesterday, when I got back on the bike, it was quite a shock! Today was so cool to have a really dry day. We tried a bunch of new things, including new brakes, and didn’t touch the suspension or the geometry. I just focus on myself to get some rhythm and stuff. During the offseason, I worked a lot on myself to improve all aspects, from physical to mental. I feel really good and I’m happy to be back. Now let’s keep working and see how things go on another track like Misano.
Kohta Nozane: “Finally we are back. It was so long! We had a lot of test items and it was not easy to manage all the work, but in the end we are satisfied and the work done was good. It’s cool we had the opportunity to do a lot of laps today, it’s a good start for the 2022 season. Italy is like my second home!
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK takes a step forward at the Aragón test
The Pata Yamaha team with Brixx WorldSBK has accelerated its preparations for the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship season at MotorLand Aragón (March 2-3), with the team, supported by Yamaha engineers, continuing to evaluate the electronics strategy and mechanical improvements to the engine and chassis. Components.
With unpredictable weather expected throughout the week in the Teruel region, the decision was made to race in the afternoon only on Wednesday, while Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and Andrea Locatelli were able to complete a full day of racing in perfect conditions Thursday.
The Pata Yamaha and Brixx WorldSBK duo combined for 225 laps of the 5.078km Spanish circuit, which the team used to find improvements on a circuit that had yet to play to the strengths of the Yamaha R1 WorldSBK . That goal was achieved, with both riders showing significantly better pace than ever at Aragon.
For the second test of 2022, Razgatlıoğlu was quickly up and running on Wednesday afternoon, completing 26 laps as rain interrupted part of the session. The reigning WorldSBK champion was able to complete 84 laps on Thursday, with his best time of 1’49.746 marking Yamaha’s fastest ever Superbike lap at the Alcañiz site – backed by numerous laps in the 1′ high bracket 49 and 1’50 bass. , all mounted on standard Pirelli racing tyres.
Driving at the circuit where he made his WorldSBK debut in 2021, Locatelli was pleased with the job done throughout the test. The Italian completed a busy program on Thursday, completing 85 laps, after having run 30 the day before. He finished the test just 0.267 seconds behind his teammate in 1’50.021, demonstrating the improvements he and Yamaha have already made at this circuit.
Next up for the Pata Yamaha with the Brixx WorldSBK team will be the Barcelona test on March 25-26, where the team will race in their 2022 livery for the first time.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu: 110 laps – 1’49.746
“We had a great test in Aragon, I’m surprised! Yesterday we had sunshine then rain, not many laps, but today we were very lucky with perfect weather all day. It might not be my best track but we were very quick and consistent so I’m happy for that! Today I felt like a test rider, there was so much to try, but we are also fast and I enjoyed it! Yamaha and the team are working hard, we’ve made a big improvement on 21… a 1’49 with SC0 tires isn’t so bad! Maybe now Aragon is a better track for me! The next test is Catalunya, we will put together the best package from test parts and electronics and try to improve again.
Andrea Locatelli: 115 laps – 1’50.021
“We are very happy because we did a lot of laps and we also had a good grip here in Aragón. The feeling is coming back better now after Portimão. Today we worked on the settings of the bike and now the feelings are really good. Now we will continue the development before arriving at the Barcelona test. I’m also happy because I couldn’t drive as much as today on this circuit. The team has done a great job and we didn’t make any mistakes. Now we’re looking forward to what’s next, my level is improving and so is R1.
