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Monday after the Gran Premio Red Bull de España offered the MotoGP class their first in-season testing day of 2021. There was a brief disruption early in the day as the red flag was brought out after just an hour of running due to falls on circuit.
Pol Espargaró had a busy day around the 4.4 kilometres of the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, completing 89 laps with a best time of 1′.37.506. Just around midday, Espargaró suffered a fall at Turn 1 but was unharmed and quickly returned to the garage. In the closing hour of the day Espargaro suffered a second fall, avoiding any injury. Aside from the fall, Espargaró leaves the one-day test with a very positive feeling after a busy and full day of riding.
The day in Jerez was short for Marc Márquez, completing seven laps over two runs before calling an end to his test. After a physically demanding weekend, Márquez and the Repsol Honda Team elected to focus on his continued recovery and allow the maximum amount of time to prepare for the French GP.
The Repsol Honda Team will now focus their attentions on round five, the French Grand Prix at Le Mans where Álex Márquez took his debut podium with the Repsol Honda Team in 2020.
Rider statements
“Today we didn’t really test, just one run because on the second run my body was already locking up. My neck and my right shoulder were stiff, it’s similar to after Portimao but I was not as locked up as I was after Portugal. The crash I had on Saturday didn’t help with my physical condition. I thought that maybe today when my body had warmed up it would be better, and I could try but straight away I could tell I wasn’t at a good level for riding. We spoke as a team and decided to stop the test, we need to understand that we’re improving step by step and the next target is Le Mans where we will try to improve again.”
“We did 89 laps today; it has been a very busy and productive day for us. We have worked on many things, electronics, aero, ergonomics – they seem simple or small topics but when you’re still new to a bike they can make a big difference together. We have performed well today, I was close to Taka who has been the strongest Honda this weekend so I am happy. No matter what, we have learned a lot today and it has been very good for me to have a day like today where we can ride and try things without the pressure of a race weekend. Now we look to Le Mans.”