The extremely windy conditions at the Losail International Circuit on Friday caused difficulties for the Moto2™ field throughout the day. At the end of it though, Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) was second on the timesheets thanks to his second session time of 2:00.178, 0.402 from Binder’s P1 effort. Third quickest was Iker Lecuona (American Team KTM), his third session time of 2:00.201 meant we saw the same top three that ended the Jerez Test in the first three positions.

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Ai Ogura’s (Honda Team Asia) 2:08.784 puts the Japanese rider in seventh place on Friday, with less than a tenth separating him from eighth place Alonso Lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0) and ninth quickest Kazuki Masaki (BOE Skull Rider Mugen Race), who was also the leading KTM rider. The only man in the top ten who failed to improve their time in the third and final session of the day was Gabriel Rodrigo (Kommerling Gresini Moto3), the Argentine’s 2:08.926 set in session two.

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It’s here! Join hosts Fran Wyld and Matt Dunn for Episode 3 of the official #MotoGPPodcast as we delve into everything that went down in Doha. This week we’re talking all things Qatar Test, with special guests including Randy Mamola, Matt Birt and Simon Crafar…as well as some key insights from the riders.

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At every circuit a route will be defined and marked at a safe point around the track, (usually an asphalt runoff area outside of a turn), which is some seconds slower than the normal racing line. The penalised rider must ride through the defined area within 3 laps of being notified, thereby suffering a penalty equivalent to several seconds, (typically 2 or more seconds), on that lap. Procedures will be in place to enable the Stewards to use an equivalent time penalty in case the rider is unable to complete the Long Lap, (e.g. in case of a red flagged race). This penalty will be added to the list of sanctions available to the FIM MotoGP Stewards, and whilst it is primarily intended for track limits violations, it may be used in any circumstances deemed appropriate by the Stewards. The drop position penalty will continue being available to the Stewards.

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Take a look at four pieces of data extracted from winter testing ahead of the Qatar GP

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Honda vs Ducati: who is most prepared after the preseason? 26/02/2019

Marquez’ Chief Engineer, Santi Hernandez, and Dovizioso’s Track Engineer, Alberto Giribuola, explain what they’ve achieved over the winter

“During the winter, we tried to remedy our weak points, namely acceleration and top speed. We continue to work on this, but it looks like we have made a big step forward in this area,” commented Marquez’ chief engineer Santi Hernandez.

This was also reiterated by Honda newcomer Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol Honda Team): “Marc was the fastest in a straight line this Saturday, which is rather encouraging, as the Honda lost a bit of speed compared to the Ducati last year.”

The absolute top speed attained at the Losail International Circuit is still held by a Ducati, with Danilo Petrucci’s effort of 351.9km/h from 2018 the best we’ve seen so far. Will that be topped during the Grand Prix?

Viñales completed the most laps

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales was the rider who notched up the highest total number of laps during preseason testing. Over the ten days, the Spaniard lapped 589 times, the equivalent of 2940.1km.

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Marquez takes a great step on day 2 of the Qatar Test 24/02/2019

The World Champion got himself in the top 5 today as he pushed the pace in the second day of the final preseason test

In terms of manufacturer numbers, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini was the team lapped the least, with fellow Italian factory Ducati totalling the most:

Ducati: Danilo Petrucci, Andrea Dovizioso, Jack Miller, Francesco Bagnaia, Karel Abraham, Tito Rabat = 2910 laps
Yamaha: Maverick Viñales, Valentino Rossi, Fabio Quartararo, Franco Morbidelli = 2263 laps
KTM: Pol Espargaro, Johann Zarco, Miguel Oliveira, Hafizh Syahrin = 1919 laps
Honda: Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo, Cal Crutchlow, Takaaki Nakagami = 1574 laps
Suzuki: Joan Mir, Alex Rins = 1116 laps
Aprilia: Andrea Iannone, Aleix Espargaro = 696 laps

Viñales never finished outside the top five

This didn’t happen to anyone last year and it has been Viñales who has – arguably – been the most impressive rider during preseason. A similar thing happened during Viñales’ first season with Yamaha, in which he dominated the 2017 preseason before going on to claim victory in Qatar. Let’s wait and see if he is to repeat that on 10th March.

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Rossi and Viñales: new colours, new sponsor, new season 05/02/2019

The Monster Energy Yamaha team are determined and excited to get off to a good start in 2019

For the rookies, reigning Moto2™ World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Alma Pramac Racing) comes out on top in terms of average finishing positions in the tests. His 11.7 average is slightly better than Fabio Quartararo’s (Petronas Yamaha SIC) 12.7.

Iannone suffered the greatest number of crashes

In terms of crashes, Andrea Iannone (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was the rider to suffer the most during preseason testing (4). Behind the Italian with three falls each are Johann Zarco (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Miller and LCR Honda Castrol’s Cal Crutchlow. 

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Iannone and Aprilia in action at the Valencia Test 20/11/2018

The Italian rider and team combination ride their first laps. Watch them for FREE! The future is now!

Watch every 2019 race LIVE & OnDemand and enjoy the whole motogp.com video library, including technical features, exclusives interviews and classic races, with the MotoGP™ VideoPass

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