MotoGP: Dovizioso blitzes circuit record to top Jerez test

Andrea Dovizioso was quickest on the fourth day of the joint MotoGP and Superbike test, blitzing the outright circuit record on Thursday afternoon.

The Italian’s quickest lap of 1’37.663 is almost 0.3 seconds quicker than Jorge Lorenzo’s circuit best lap from 2015, suggesting the 2.7-mile Spanish circuit’s new surface has dramatically improved the pace. World Superbike star Jonathan Rea told MCN the new surface was worth around a second per lap.

Britain’s Cal Crutchlow was second quickest after a manic day testing for HRC with Repsol Honda duo Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa not riding at the test. The LCR Honda star had three bikes in his garage through the course of the test, not even stopping for lunch on his second and final day.

Jorge Lorenzo was third on the second of the factory Ducati machines, ahead of Suzuki’s Andrea Iannone who had topped the first day of MotoGP bikes on track.

Pol Espargaro continued to show significant improvement for KTM to place fifth, ahead of the second Suzuki of Alex Rins who took to the track for the first time today after Suzuki test rider Sylvain Guintoli took his place on Wednesday.

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Tito Rabat was seventh quickest as he continues to adapt to the Avintia Ducati machine, which he says he’s finding easier to ride than the Honda he’s ridden for the last two years.

Danilo Petrucci ranked eighth quickest on Pramac Racing’s first day on track, one place ahead of new team-mate Jack Miller. Bradley Smith rounded out the top ten.

Franco Morbidelli showed significant improvement on day two for Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS to place quickest rookie ahead of Takaaki Nakagami. Alex Marquez, standing in for the injured Thomas Luthi also improved to place 17^th quickest on the overall times.

Many teams will now pack up and head home for winter, including the factory Ducati squad and Crutchlow’s LCR Honda team, but several will remain on track for one final day on Friday. 

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