Filling free time due to the move to the Kazakhstan MotoGP schedule, Yamaha fielded a full squad at the Valencia 2024 private test where their two regular racers; Fabio Quartararo & Alex Rins were also present plus two factory test riders. Even though it is possible that the weather conditions during the test will potentially be quite different compared to the Valencia race weekend finale at the end of the season, Yamaha generally seems quite satisfied with the results of this private test.
Because they are in the MotoGP concession Class D, Yamaha and Honda are allowed to test at any Grand Prix circuit with their regular riders. The restrictions for those in Class D are generally only the number of test tire allocations. At the Valencia test, Yamaha was able to complete an extensive program with both riders on their Yamaha M1. Apart from that, according to the racers, the motorbike feels very comfortable, especially in the cornering phase.
How good Fabio Quartararo’s mood was at Valencia was also shown by his impressive stoppie action in the pitlane. During their lunch break, Quartararo and Rins and their crew were seen relaxing on folding chairs in the pitlane of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit. For the first time in a long time, Quartararo looked enthusiastic again after the private test.
“I did 101 laps on Friday. That’s very positive. “The feeling is much better than before,” said Quartararo. “We now want to give everything we can to Assen.” Rins is also enthusiastic despite his long working days and wants to continue. “I had fun all day.” This further shows that Yamaha is determined to shorten the gap between their performance levels and especially the European MotoGP manufacturers as quickly as possible with an acceleration test program under the guidance of Max Bartolini.
With Assen and Sachsenring there will be back-to-back double events which will start this weekend before the MotoGP World Championship enters its summer break and then returns to the British GP at the Silverstone circuit.
