the number of laps people did is quite interesting[1] Crutchlow HondaP 72 Vinales Yam 66 Zarco YamP 65 Rabat DucP 64 ROssi Yam 62 Nakagami HonP 62* Marquez Hon 61 Morbidelli HonP 58 Redding Apr 56 Pedrosa Hon 51 Iannone Suz 47 P. Espar KTM 46 Miller HonP 45 A. Espar Apr 44 Lorenzo Duc 39 Smith KTM 39 Rins Suz 38 Petrucci DucP 36 Dovi Duc 22 *is listed as "GBR" on the crash.net sheet (where P means Privateer/not factory) Not many ducatis up the top are there? Interesting how few Dovi did We know that Cutchlow is a part-time HRC test-mule, so probably has lots to look at. But if you look at the two factory riders alone, Honda have put in 100+, Yamaha 120, Ducati only 61. Obviously there are plenty of reasons why not to do laps (risk, expense, hair products expended,etc), but for the very close runners-up to put in close to half the laps of the winner doesn't look like a declaration to chase for it next season. http://www.crash.net/motogp/results/887488/1/valencia-motogp-test-times-wednesday-final
Miller missed the morning after crashing on cold tyres. I'm really looking forward to seeing him on the Ducati next year; a great combination I reckon.
Suppose it depends what each manufacturer actually wanted to get from the test. If Ducati got what they wanted from the laps they did, why go round in circles wasting possibly big money in an unnecessary off? The tests in the new year, perhaps especially Qatar in early March, will be more revealing of what 2018 might hold.
Am i right in thinking miller on the gp 16 on Monday was nearly two and a half seconds faster than Reddings fastest lap on sunday?
true enough, and Yamaha certainly were doing lots as they don't seem to know where they are going. I'd still have been tempted to shove them out for a few more laps just to see what data you could get.
Dovizioso - We were able to finish the programme... http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/11/16/dovizioso-we-were-able-to-finish-the-programme/247013