The Aprilia star is fastest halfway through the final day of testing at Misano, as Gardner and Fernandez get to grips with the RC16
It’s been a busy morning on the second and final Misano Test day as plenty of focus continues to be placed on the 2022 season. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) is fastest so far (13:00 local time) from Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), as Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2™ title contenders Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez make their Tech3 KTM Factory Racing debuts.
These smiles say it all ????
Back at the garage after their first ride ????????#MisanoTest #MotoGP #Tech3KTMFactoryRacing #RF25 #RG87 @MotoGP pic.twitter.com/wkv0anJdS0— Tech3 Racing (@Tech3Racing) September 22, 2021
The Australian and Spaniard have been enjoying their first taste of MotoGP™ action on the RC16s, with both riders completing over 30 laps so far. Gardner crashed just before lunch in Sector 3 while on a personal best lap, the Moto2™ title leader is currently three seconds down on P1, Fernandez is down to just 2.3s off Espargaro’s pace – impressive from both riders so far.
Meanwhile, Pol Espargaro has debuted on a 2022-spec Honda, with Repsol Honda Team teammate Marc Marquez also out on a 2022-spec RC213V – albeit a slightly different version. Team Suzuki Ecstar are testing a 2022 chassis and new side fairing, with test rider Sylvain Guintoli joining Joan Mir and Alex Rins on track for Day 2.
Fly by ???? pic.twitter.com/4EsNQYgR9d
— Repsol Honda Team (@HRC_MotoGP) September 22, 2021
Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) has crashed twice in the morning, compatriot Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama) has also gone down – both riders ok.
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Misano Test recap: Honda debut radically new RC213V
Top 10 at 13:00 local time (GMT+2):
1. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) – 1:31.599
2. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 0.065
3. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 0.108
4. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 0.199
5. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) + 0.288
6. Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) + 0.327
7. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) + 0.360
8. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) + 0.403
9. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) + 0.537
10. Luca Marini (SKY VR46 Avintia) + 0.557
