Danilo Petrucci wins the fastest time in front of Andrea Dovizioso

(Motorsport-Total.com) – For the last time, MotoGP bikers are sitting on their bike this year. During the two-day trials in Jerez, the final modifications were tested before the winter break to clarify the direction of development until Sepang's test in February. Wednesday, Danilo Petrucci was at the top of the Ducati. He was able to relax in 1: 37.968 minutes. Behind them, Andrea Dovizioso (+0.217 minutes) is ahead of Takaaki Nakagami (+0.380) on the Honda 2018 Crutchlow.

As in Valencia, the morning was calm in Jerez, but after about two hours, Joan Mir, the rookie for Suzuki, dared to be the first rider on the track. Cold temperatures and fog made any test impossible. The Spaniard completed a total of 28 laps until his start was heavy.

Shortly after 1 pm, the red flag was raised because I had destroyed the security fence in the catch zone during its fall. It had to be repaired after about 20 minutes of driving. During that time, I was examined at the medical center. Fortunately, he did not hurt himself and was able to continue the test a little later. He finished in tenth place (+ 0.988 seconds).

Lorenzo tests a new tank and a new seat

At noon, each pilot had at least one timed lap. Two of his teammates Ducru, Petrucci and Dovizioso, were leading the pack. In 1: 39.127 minutes, the Neo Works driver was the fastest. Both continued to focus on the great weakness of the Ducati: the Turning.

At 2 pm, Jorge Lorenzo launched the attack on the Honda. The Spaniard clocked a time of 1: 38.749, which he summarily placed at the top. In the end, he finished seventh (+ 0.781 seconds). The modified tank and seat that Lorenzo used on the Honda was striking. This construction is wider than the usual Honda tank and has an adhesive surface that allows Lorenzo to get more support from the bike when braking. Already on the five-time world champion Desmosedici tinkered in his place.

Former teammate Dovizioso had an answer soon after, leading to 1 "38.519. He was about a second from his best test in Jerez the year before (1: 37.663 minutes). Shortly before the end of the tests, he still wanted to improve. He clocked a time of 1: 38.185, but crashed a bit later in Turn 5. However, the runner-up of the world suffered no injury. He missed two tenths of his team mate's best time.

Problem with Rossi – New wings at Ducati and Honda

Ducati was also badisted Wednesday by Alvaro Bautista (9./0.862 seconds), replaced by Michele Pirro. On the bike the Spanish was at the back of an innovative wing construction to see. Also at Honda has been experienced in the field of aerodynamics. Marc Marquez (+/- 0.549 seconds) drove with a new disguise on the track. It was a little bulbous as the 2018 version with horizontal fins on the sides.

At Yamaha, they had to take action in the afternoon at 15:20: Valentino Rossi (17./+ 1,596 seconds) remained with a technical defect on the track. His bike, which did not look damaged, was brought back to the garage in a truck. Maverick Vinales (4./ + .408 seconds), who set a new best time (1: 38.376 minutes) one hour before the end of the test, created an exclamation point. He was officially working for the first time Wednesday with his new team leader, Esteban Garcia. At Yamaha, they continued to focus solely on the new engine.

At Aprilia, Bradley Smith (18./+ 2.206 seconds) and Matteo Baiocco (24./+ 4.798 seconds) took the lead in place of Aleix Espargaro, weakened by gastritis. For Cal Crutchlow, there was no substitute at LCR Honda, Stefan Bradl was only Zaungast. The busiest driver Wednesday: Alex Rins (13./+ 1.182 seconds) on the Suzuki with 87 laps. Disappointing, however, the day goes by for Andrea Iannone (11/40 seconds), Aprilia's newcomer. The Italian only handles 24 rounds, he also fell.

The trials will continue Thursday in Jerez (10:00 to 18:00).

The hours of the first day of testing at Jerez:
1. Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) – 1: 37.968 minutes (53 laps)
2. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) +0.217 seconds (53)
3. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR-Honda) +0 380 (66)
4. Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) +0.408 (58)
5. Marc Marquez (Honda) +0.549 (50)
6. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas-Yamaha) +0 691 (69)
7. Jorge Lorenzo (Honda) +0.781 (56)
8. Jack Miller (Pramac-Ducati) +0.848 (72)
9. Alvaro Bautista (Ducati) +0.862 (64)
10. Joan Mir (Suzuki) +0 988 (52)
11. Andrea Iannone (Aprilia) +1 040 (24)
12. Tito Rabat (Avintia-Ducati) +1.129 (53)
13. Alex Rins (Suzuki) +1.182 (87)
14. Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac-Ducati) +1.189 (51)
15. Fabio Quartararo (Petronas-Yamaha) +1.446 (59)
16. Pol Espargaro (KTM) +1 584 (56)
17. Valetino Rossi (Yamaha) +1 596 (50)
18. Bradley Smith (Aprilia) +2206 (69)
19. Johann Zarco (KTM) +2.224 (56)
20. Karel Abraham (Avintia-Ducati) +2,470 (43)
21. Hafizh Syahrin (Tech-3-KTM) +2 662 (51)
22. Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki) +2,775 (48)
23. Miguel Oliveira (Tech-3-KTM) +3,731 (61)
24. Matteo Baiocco (Aprilia) +4.798 (49)