Two-day Montmeló Test wrapped up on Tuesday

Tuesday, 8 February 2011
The Catalunya Circuit hosted a selection of Moto2 and 125cc riders across two days as they took the opportunity to make some preliminary preparations ahead of the Test at Valencia later this week.

The sound of engines rang out at the Catalunya Circuit on Monday and Tuesday as a number of Moto2 and 125cc riders took to the track just outside Barcelona. Albeit with unofficial engines and lap timings, it was a good opportunity for those present to ease themselves back into riding after the winter period, and make some preliminary preparations for the first major Test of the year which takes place at Valencia this Thursday.
Italian rider Andrea Iannone, who took pole position at the Catalunya GP in 2010, was the quickest rider on the unofficial timesheet, posting a best effort of 1’47.8 on his Suter machine. The Speed Master team rider’s qualifying lap last year for the Moto2 race was 1’47.493.
Impressive progress was made across the two days by 125cc World Champion Marc Márquez, who is getting ready for his debut season in Moto2. The Team Catalunya Caixa Repsol rider lapped at 1’49.1 on day one but had moved to within five-tenths of Iannone’s day two time on Tuesday, registering a 1’48.3 on his Suter.
Other Moto2 riders taking advantage of the two days included Pons Racing duo Aleix Espargaró and Axel Pons, who recorded times of 1’48.4 and 1’48.6 respectively. Technomag CIP rider Dominique Aegerter set a best time of 1’49.7 as he tried out different seating positions on his Suter on Tuesday, and the Swiss rider escaped unharmed from a minor fall early in the day. His team-mate Kenan Sofuoglu was absent on day two after returning home to Turkey for a family matter – the Moto2 newcomer posted a best lap on Monday of 1’50.8 before his departure.
Also on track were PEV-Blusens-SMX Paris Hilton team rider Sergio Gadea and Maverick Viñales, the former of who is returning to the 125cc category for the final season of the two-stroke bikes in 2011.
The Valencia Test takes place from this Thursday to Saturday (February 10th-12th), with another at Estoril from February 15th-17th before the teams and riders run with their official 2011 engines at the final pre-season Test at Jerez from March 4th-6th.