Significant Improvement from Aspar Rider

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Both Randy De Puniet and Aleix Espargaró scratch more than a second and a half time of the opening session, and we look with optimism on the day of qualifying

Today was the opening shift MotoGP action at the Losail circuit, and have also been the premier class riders who have enjoyed two training sessions in preparation for the Grand Prix race Tasting. Although a batch to the other almost all the drivers have improved markedly their records, the truth is to be released today by the wind, or lack of grip on the asphalt, times yet to come to the roofs of Losail (return of the pole , Stoner 1.54.137 - best lap, Lorenzo 1.53.927). So far the new 1000cc prototype will have to continue rolling to match records obsolete 800cc. Although the end of the second shift Crutchlow has dared at times to sneak in the top of the table, so far the round Cathari is a duel between Lorenzo and Stoner for the best time. Stoner was quickest yesterday, and Lorenzo tonight.

Everything and the conditions were not the best because the Losail continued slippery asphalt, and the wind has been more of a tight spot, POWER ELECTRONICS Aspar riders have continued to improve today. In the first session this afternoon and have lowered their records regarding the opening day of this event Catari, and at the last meeting have returned to lower the clock. Randy De Puniet remains committed to being the best pilot CRT, and squints and motorcycle officers, meanwhile, Aleix Espargaró, has spent all day looking for improvements to the problems of rebounds that appeared yesterday. De Puniet has slipped in turn seven, near the end of the second round and has gone down, a situation that has prevented completion of the thirteenth fastest time, three seconds back, or keep you from work tomorrow for the final formal meeting. Aleix Espargaró has solved many of its drawbacks, and on the penultimate lap of the last trial sealed his best-1.59.169-day to leave the path catarí with the 17th best result.

Randy De Puniet 13 º 1.58.261 (31 laps): "Today we continue to improve in the two working sessions, progress has been made, but still I have the feeling I want. I feel that the track does not have much grip, so today it took me quite evolve. We worked mainly with the hardness of the suspension. With a soft ring configuration secure but slow, hard setting that makes me better times, but I have to drive carefully because she lacks confidence in cornering. At the end of the last turn I lost the bike in front at turn seven, and I have gone down, luckily it was nothing. Tomorrow will be further investigated to achieve a configuration that allows me to quickly turn minimizing risk. Despite the fall I am pleased that we are shooting well, and I know we can still get better results. "

17 º Aleix Espargaró 1.59.169 (27 laps): "We have improved a bit the feeling from the first day, but the result is still far from our purpose. We have worked very hard in both sessions of the second day, and fortunately have been able to correct the bounce we had yesterday. We are in the right way because we are improving, there is now the focus for developments that are greater every day. We need to look more grip in fast areas, today we have taken a step forward, but we can not stop here. Thought to be in more advanced positions, in any case it is a distance race, we must continue working and I'm sure we will improve gradually. If tomorrow we take a step as positive as today, may I be ready to face the race. "

Aspar Press Release

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DePuniet Feeling the New Concept Even Try MotoGP

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Thirteenth and sixteenth positions have been POWER ELECTRONICS Aspar riders in the inaugural session of the 2012 season. Randy De Puniet was again the reference to the new MotoGP prototypes, everything and has made several modifications to the ART in the gearbox and suspensions, which have taken valuable time. The Frenchman, as his teammate Aleix Espargaró, has complained of the lack of grip, but is aware that tomorrow will improve the condition of the asphalt. If the Frenchman has adapted to give their best in this first session of GP Tasting, mate Aleix has been no less. The Granollers has lived several drawbacks for rebounds in the front and sliding on the back, and finally achieved a modicum of improvement for end to 4.2 seconds back as the fourth best driver CRT.  

Randy De Puniet 13 º 1.59.985 (15 laps): "We're back to being the first CRT, which I find very positive. On the other hand I have suffered enough at the level of suspensions, I guess that is normal because it is still the first session, the track was quite dirty and sliding. We tried a couple of changes but have not given us the solution we expected. It has also worked in the electronics and gearbox. It is the first day, we started well but we have not given all the improvements we wanted. Tomorrow will improve security, because we already have a clear idea of where we want to address to improve the behavior of the suspensions. "

16 º Aleix Espargaró 2.00.720 (14 laps): "We started well, but there was not much grip the bike was behaving normally. Has gradually been increasing grip and we mounted the soft rear tire, we have appeared the same problems of landslides that we live in Jerez. The front of the bike also rebounded enough to open the throttle. This is the first session, we will perform further work to understand why. As for the engine, here we thought enough about penalizaríamos factory bikes and top speed has not happened, in powering itself. I think the differences with the front guys can be mitigated, we just keep working. "

source: Aspar Press Release

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De Puniet objective is CRT dominance

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CRT pacesetter Randy de Puniet's first objective this weekend is to cross the line as the leading CRT rider in Qatar for the Power Electronics Aspar team.

The French star has impressed during pre-season on the Aprilia ART and was comfortably the leading CRT representative, posting a time less than a second adrift of factory Ducati superstar Valentino Rossi at the final Jerez test.

De Puniet said: “After pre-season we are ready for the first Grand Prix of the year. From a technical point of view we are ready to race and the communication and relationship within the team is excellent. 

“Personally I am 100% fit and looking forward to getting out on the bike on Thursday. Testing went very well but I am looking forward to feeling the atmosphere of a Grand Prix.”

De Puniet expects to lose a lot of time to the factory Honda, Yamaha and Ducati machines on the long straight on the Losail circuit but his immediate concern is to back up his performance by underlining his status as the top CRT rider in MotoGP.

“I really like the Losail circuit. There will probably be a lot of sand on the track at first so on Thursday and Friday we will have to be extra careful,” he said.

“It has a long straight which will cost us time against the factory bikes but our objective is to be the first CRT bike across the line.”

Aleix Espargaró returns to MotoGP after a season in Moto2 and the Spaniard has also featured prominently in the pre-season tests.

“I am very excited for the season to start because as usual winter has felt like a long time without racing. I enjoy training and testing but I am one of these riders that lives to race,” he said.

“I like Losail a lot because it is fast and that usually suits my style, so I am very much looking forward to starting the season there. I need to control my excitement and channel it into finishing as high up the order as I can. 

“I am really keen on the new concept and I think we're in a position to get some great results.”

source: crash.net

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Randy de Puniet ready to lead MotoGP’s CRT revolution

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Randy de Puniet was confirmed as the clear standard-bearer for the new 'Claiming Rule Team' privateer MotoGP class during the final pre-season test at Jerez. 

The new Power Electronics Aspar rider had been expected to head the CRT challenge after previously posting unofficial lap times comparable to satellite MotoGP machines on his Superbike-based Aprilia ART machine. 

But the Jerez test marked the first time all 21 MotoGP race riders - including the nine CRTs - had been on track together, and with official timing. 

de Puniet promptly indicated that the previous reports were correct by outpacing the satellite Ducatis of Hector Barbera and Karel Abraham on his way to eleventh place on day one. 

Day two was effectively a washout, and de Puniet then finished the pre-season in 13th place on Sunday, as the satellite GP12s just edged back ahead of him. de Puniet's best lap was 1.8sec from Honda's Casey Stoner, but both Barbera and Abraham were within 0.31sec. 

The Frenchman, a MotoGP podium finisher for Kawasaki and LCR Honda, thus looks capable of fighting with some of the much more expensive satellite manufacturer machines in the Qatar season opener on April 8. 

"I am satisfied with the test, we have been fast and at the front of the CRT field, not that far off the factory guys,” said de Puniet. “Our pace is good and I think we're ready for the start of the season. 

“I am really happy with the potential of the bike and I think we can perform to a high level on it this season. It is consistent and ready to run race distance.” 

CRT bikes are allowed 3 litres more fuel (race) and six more engine changes (season) relative to the manufacturer machines, but can have their engines and gearbox 'claimed' for 20,000 euros and must not be 'entered' by or 'represent' an MSMA manufacturer. 

Some of the MotoGP manufacturers feel the Aprilia is not within the spirit of the CRT rules, being created by a major factory, but there is little they can now do about it since retracting CRT status mid-season would require majority agreement from the GP Commission. 

While de Puniet looks set to blur the distinction between the MotoGP categories, he may be something of a lone challenger in the early rounds at least. The next best CRT at Jerez, team-mate Aleix Espargaro, being over one-second slower. 

"The good thing is that I am amongst the fastest CRT riders, but we only have to look at my team-mate Randy to see that I can still go faster,” admitted the Spaniard. 

Colin Edwards, the most highly qualified of the CRT riders with twelve MotoGP podiums, was only 17th fastest and nearly 1.5sec from de Puniet. 

source: crash.net

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Aspar duo make headway at Jerez

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Pre-season for the 2012 MotoGP World Championship officially concluded on Sunday, with the last of hundreds of laps in Malaysia, Aragón, Valencia and Jerez taking place at the Andalucian circuit.

The Power Electronics Aspar Team showed their capacity to react, with both riders starting out Sunday morning with front-end grip problems. Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaró worked against the clock throughout the day to improve their suspension and chassis set-up but with particular focus on tyres as they tried to improve corner speed. Short runs of five to seven laps gave them the opportunity to try a variety of combinations and they began to find a breakthrough early in the afternoon. The pair were again the quickest riders amongst the new MotoGP CRT field, giving them confidence for a historic first race with their ART bikes in Qatar.

Randy de Puniet:

"We struggled a lot this morning for front end grip and had to work hard to resolve the issue, it took almost three hours. In the end we went with a tyre that we had tested on Friday and it made a big difference. Apart from the setback this morning I am satisfied with the test, we have been fast and at the front of the CRT field, not that far off the factory guys. Our pace is good and I think we're ready for the start of the season. I am really happy with the potential of the bike and I think we can perform to a high level on it this season. It is consistent and ready to run race distance. I crashed late in the day, probably pushing too hard on a worn front tyre, but luckily it was really slow."

Aleix Espargaró:

"We have had a lot of chattering today, I don't know why, but I struggled to get on the pace this morning. We improved a lot with the new Bridgestone but not enough so we have to keep working. I need more confidence in corner entry. Little by little we managed to set a good pace on a new tyre but we need to find a better solution to improve our mid-corner speed. We have done a lot of work on the chassis and suspension and improved my overall feeling so we'll have to keep working along the same lines in Qatar. The good thing is that I am amongst the fastest CRT riders but we only have to look at my team-mate Randy to see that I can still go faster."

Team Aspar press release

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Power Electronic Aspar Pilots First Turn in the Rain

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Yesterday was opening the test in Jerez with a particularly intense, just the opposite today. The sky was completely black and windy dawn, and what yesterday was a universe of willingness on the part of pilots today has become lazy. Certainly the conditions have not followed much in the second day. The intermittent rain has caused men to MotoGP track peep shyly, and well past noon have not heard the true clash of the premier class. The activity has been largely centralized in three hours, which most pilots have used to control your set-up with the wet floor and little else.

Today was the first day POWER ELECTRONICS Aspar riders have tested their new ART in the wet, and track work has been summarized in 16 turns (eight each), so most of the day they happen doors work inward. Randy and Aleix had several tests pending, but the rain has squandered his plans, and have used to configure their mounts under water conditions. Avoiding any risk maps have tested various electronic traction control. And just today his feeling was very positive.

Randy De Puniet 1.52.397 (8 laps): "Today was a day not too productive, we completed a few laps in the wet to see feelings and little else. I'm happy because in aquatic conditions I have also felt very comfortable and the weather has been good. After eight laps we decided to stop, the route was not in good condition and not worth risking. If tomorrow goes good day continue to work on the suspension and electronics, and testing of tires, to try to push a little more. "

Aleix Espargaró 1.57.718 (8 laps): "The track conditions were dire, we have had to work in the garage most of the day. Never having tried this bike under water, and this afternoon we have several turns to test a specific electronic maps for water. Randy has proven the first and then me. It was found that the traction control works well in the wet. Also we have used to configure the second bike, but all our work is summarized in eight rounds. Hopefully tomorrow the conditions to join us and we can continue working. "

source: Aspar Press Release

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Private CRT testing at Aragon concludes

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The second day of testing wrapped up under largely improved weather conditions, especially in the evening, for the five MotoGP riders present at the Aragon circuit. Riders were able to make up for time lost on Thursday due to high winds, with the two Spanish and one British team present and accruing more laps and experience.

The second and final day of private CRT testing was more conducive to on track action at the MotorLand circuit than the day before, though the wind continued to hinder the five participating riders’ efforts.

In the morning, the first to venture out to test track conditions was Avintia Racing rider Yonny Hernandez, followed shortly thereafter by his teammate Ivan Silva. Both made sessions of around 10 laps each to test out the general feeling of the BQR-FTR prototype.

Around 1pm, Aleix Espargaró (Power Electronics Aspar) hit the track, though completed only three laps before finding track conditions to be too unfavorable to perform the work the team set out to do at this test, so further testing was postponed until after lunch. Espargaró and team mate Randy De Puniet completed a few laps in the afternoon with the Frenchman focusing on improving the geometry of the new ART while the Spaniard made several practice starts.

Also completing many laps in the afternoon were the Avintia Racing duo, with Silva completing the test with a reported best lap of 1’53.373 while Colombian rider Hernandez posted a time of 1’53.588. The only rider absent in the final hours of the test was the Briton James Ellison (Paul Bird Motorsport) due to a crash that occurred shortly before noon.

The next meeting is the Official MotoGP Test to be held in Jerez de la Frontera in two weeks, the final test before the season begins with the night GP in Qatar.

source: MotoGP Official

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Aspar painted CRT De Puniet and Espargaro

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The low temperatures and on the track, but above all a strong wind that reached up to 60 km / h, has not provided the teams plans Aspar Power Electronics, Avintia Paul Bird Motorsport Racing, whose drivers have spent much Day in their boxes, on the first day of testing for CRT in Motorland Aragon.

In the morning, the team of Jorge Martinez `Aspar 'has used a pale sun for a photo session with Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaró, which have been wearing for the first time his official clothing and have posed next to their bikes decorated and with colors that look this season. The most active - if you can use the expression, have been, James Ellison (Paul Bird Motorsport) and Ivan Silva (Avintia Racing MotoGP), authors respectively of a mini batch of 2 and 3 turns.

The afternoon session produced no remarkable activity, except a return of "recognition" by the British Ellison. With rising temperatures and constant wind, the pilots decided to postpone hanj tomorrow their work programs, and necessarily modified and compressed.

On Friday, Alcañiz track will be open from 9:30 to 17:30 with the hope that the weather allows better use of the second and final day of practice.

source: motocuatro

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CRTs meet for testing at MotorLand

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One month ahead of the start of the new MotoGP™ World Championship season, various premier class teams will be testing this week to continue preparations for the 2012 Championship. Over the course of two days—Thursday and Friday, the 8th and 9th of March—the Aragon MotorLand circuit will bring together several teams registered as CRT for another important test, one of the last of the preseason.

Teams confirmed thus far for the test are the Power Electronic Aspar team, with riders Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaró, Speed Master with Mattia Pasini, Paul Bird Motorsport with rider James Ellison, and Ioda Racing Project with Danilo Petrucci. After returning last week from Malaysia, Avintia Racing’s Ivan Silva and Yonny Hernandez will be present for further testing of their BQR-FTR machine.

The MotorLand circuit in Alcañiz could possibly see the debut of Michele Pirro, who has not yet ridden his 1000cc Honda CRT of the Gresini Team, although the outfit has not yet confirmed their attendance.

For those fans who wish to attend the test, the Aragon circuit is allowing access to grandstand 1, located on the home straight of the circuit. Access is free and is open from 9:00 am until 17:30 pm.

source: MotoGP 

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Randy de Puniet targets factory scalps

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Randy de Puniet says his priority for 2012 is to finish top CRT rider and at some races defeat the new 1000cc factory prototypes after an encouraging test in Jerez this week.

The Frenchman ended the three-day private test in Spain with an unofficial best time of 1.40.3 on board the new Aprilia ART machine he will campaign for the Aspar squad.

His best lap was less than a second from Spaniard Dani Pedrosa’s 2010 lap record of 1.39.731, giving hope that not all new CRT machines will be completely outclassed this year.

Some of the new machines, which features heavily tuned production 1000cc engines in prototype chassis, have been blown away by the factory prototypes from Honda, Yamaha and Ducati in winter testing.

Former LCR Honda rider de Puniet though was only 0.3s behind Hector Barbera’s satellite Ducati GP12 in Jerez and he told MCN: “The bike is at a good level. I would like to be faster like everybody but my first target is to be the first CRT and to either be very close or to beat the slowest factory bikes.

"I think it will be possible if some riders are not so fast but at fast tracks like Qatar, Barcelona and Sepang it will be very difficult because up to fourth gear there is big difference in engine performance.

"The engine and the electronics are the biggest difference between the prototypes and CRT. It is a big challenge but I am up for it and I am motivated to do a good season.”

source: MCN

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Jerez test concludes with CRT improvements

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The private three-day test at the Circuito de Jerez concluded on Wednesday, with Randy De Puniet and Aleix Espargaró the fastest CRTs in the field on their Power Electronics Aspar bike. The Test also saw James Ellison and Danilo Petrucci wrapping up the first test on their respective machines.

Power Electronics Aspar riders De Puniet and Espargaró were the CRT pace men on the third and final day of private MotoGP™ testing , the Frenchman recording the best lap of 1'40.3. De Puniet’s time was three tenths off of the time set by the satellite GP12 of Héctor Barberá (Pramac Racing Team), who was in attendance for the last day of the test.

De Puniet spent the final day adjusting the electronics to improve suspension response and the rear grip of his ART, and reported being delighted with the potential of the bike overall. His pace set today was less than one second off the track lap record set by Pedrosa in 2010 (1’39.731), and with room for improvement still present, he expects the ART machines to continue their progress before the opening 2012 round at Qatar on April 8th.

Espargaró managed to lap within eight tenths of the top time set by his team-mate, declaring he didn't expect such a large improvement (1.5s) from day one. The Spaniard told motogp.com that additional room for improvement still remains with the bike’s set-up when using the hard compound Bridgestones, and that he was very satisfied with his final results of the three days.

Héctor Barberá concluded his one day test aboard the satellite GP12, the same test Ducati that caught fire as well as suffering significant additional damaged to the front end and chassis in Karel Abraham’s (Cardion AB Motoracing) crash yesterday. The Ducati technicians worked through the night and presented the Desmosedici to the Spaniard, who was then able to post a best time of 1’40.0 on the repaired machine.

James Ellison completed his first shakedown round on the Paul Bird Motorsport ART, concentrating on getting himself comfortable with the bike without pushing it to the limits. The Briton managed to lap just under two seconds faster than his best lap time yesterday and said that the bike will definitely further improve when the team receives additional parts they are waiting on.

In the Speed Master garage, Mattia Pasini concluded his second test on his team’s ART by shaving an additional seven tenths off his best run from Monday. The Italian told motogp.com that he is more than happy to have dropped nearly a second on each consecutive day of the test.

Danilo Petrucci was another rider to get his first taste of his 2012 race machine, concluding his first test on the Ioda Racing Project CRT with an improvement of 1.7 seconds over his time from yesterday. The Italian had a minor crash in the morning but was able to return to the track to resume working on electronic development of the Ioda bike.

The teams and riders now have one week to work with the data gathered before the next private test session on the 8th and 9th of March at Aragón.

Unofficial lap times Wednesday (recorded by teams):

MotoGP 

- Héctor Barberá, Ducati 1’40.0

MotoGP (CRT) 

1. Randy De Puniet, ART 1'40.3 (66 laps)

2. Aleix Espargaró, ART 1’41.1 (60 laps)

3. Mattia Pasini, ART 1'41.29 (47 laps)

4. Danilo Petrucci, IODA 1'41.6 (62 laps) 

5. James Ellison, ART 1'42.526 (53 laps)

source: MotoGP Official

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Private testing in Jerez continues

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Randy De Puniet continues to lead the MotoGP™ CRT field, while British rider James Ellison made his first laps on the ART prototype of the Paul Bird Racing team on the second day of the private test at Jerez.

Day two of private testing wrapped up for five riders aboard CRT prototypes, plus Karel Abraham on a satellite Ducati and Franco Battaini test riding for Ducati.

Joining the new Claiming Rule Team bikes on track was Briton James Ellison of the Paul Bird Motorsport Team, who today made his first laps on the ART bike ahead of his return to the World Championship five years after finishing his last race in the premier class. Ellison reported being quite satisfied with the ART bike, although only completing 36 laps, with a best time of 1’44.4.

Randy De Puniet was again the fastest rider aboard a CRT, the Frenchman set a best time of 1’40.9 at the controls of the Power Electronics Aspar Team ART while continuing to try new options with the electronics package. Despite struggling with grip levels today, De Puniet managed to complete the day 7 tenths of a second faster than his time from Monday.

Teammate Aleix Espargaró returned to the track after leaving early yesterday due to feeling ill, though the Spaniard was not able to get a good feeling on the bike today and crashed twice. "The main problem is holding a line in the fast corners. I’m losing feeling and running wide on the exit," explained the Aspar rider, who matched his best time of 1’42.6 set on Monday.

Mattia Pasini’s second day proved productive as the 26 year old bettered his time by 1.3 seconds on the Speed Master ART, just over a second behind the fastest rider on the track.

Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) joined the test this morning, completing 46 laps before a crash in which his GP12 went up in flames, causing huge damage to the front end and chassis. The Czech rider escaped without serious injury but the Ducati team now have a big job to get the bike fixed for Hector Barbera (Pramac Racing) to ride tomorrow, as the Spaniard was to share the satellite Ducati with Abraham for one day each of testing. Ducati are hopeful that their mechanics can repair the bike tonight for the third and final day of testing.

Danilo Petrucci was the source of another red flag when he crashed his Ioda Racing machine after matching his best time of 1’43.3 of yesterday. The 21 year old Italian told motogp.com that he is not 100% sure that the team will be able to reassemble the bike in time for the last day of testing tomorrow, an important day as the Italian claims there is still a lot of work to be done on the electronics.

source: MotoGP Official

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First day of private testing in Jerez

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With the opening round of the 2012 MotoGP™ season just six weeks away, several MotoGP CRTs shared the Jerez circuit today in a private test that continues through Wednesday.

Monday at the Circuito de Jerez closed with a private test that saw several CRT (Claiming Rule Team) riders aboard the bikes that will debut in the MotoGP World Championship this season, including the first ride for Danilo Petrucci aboard his Ioda Racing prototype .

Power Electronics Aspar Team riders Alex Espargaró and Randy de Puniet were in attendance for their second shake down of the ART (Aprilia Racing Technology), focusing on a new frame and swingarm, and testing carbon brakes for first time. De Puniet expressed that he was happy to be testing on a track with other CRTs present, as well as with Abraham and Barbara on track with their satellite bikes, in order to able to gauge where the team is, saying "Today we worked on suspension and also on the electronics. I'm a little upset because I didn’t go as fast as in November, when we were here testing. But on the other hand, I’m not worried because we still have two full days of work left. This afternoon we will analyze the information extracted in the first day of testing to see how we can improve for tomorrow."

Meanwhile team mate Espargaró ended his day early due to not feeling well. "This morning I struggled a bit to get my pace here in Jerez, a faster track than Valencia. As the day passed, I started to feel terrible and I had trouble staying focused . We were able to modify some aspects of chassis, but I decided to end the day early. Now understand why I didn’t feel comfortable on the bike. I decided to come to the hotel, lie down and rest until morning."

Mattia Pasini completed first day of the second test for the Italian this year posting 7 tenths behind Espargaro as he continues to adapt to the ART CRT of the Speed Master team.

Today marked the very first test for Danilo Petrucci aboard his Ioda Racing prototype CRT machine ahead of his first World Championship experience. The Italian tested out frames by both Ioda and Aprilia, posting his fastest lap aboard the Ioda chassis.

The Ducati test team was also on track with rider Franco Battaini working on electronic development for the GP12, though testing took place on an older version of the Ducati as the factory bike was not present at the circuit. Battaini also made with a few laps on the satellite GP12 as a shakedown for Karel Abraham who will be present tomorrow. Nicky Hayden had originally hoped to participate at this test, although his shoulder surgery performed earlier this month has left him unable to ride, though he is hoping to be ready for the next Official Test at the Malaysian circuit in 28 days.

Paul Bird Motorsport was present with James Ellison, though having just received the bike this morning the team spent the day working on an initial set-up and Ellison did not hit the track, though tomorrow the Briton will have his very first run on the ART bike ahead of his return to the premier class.

Tomorrow will also see Karel Abraham of CardionAB Motoracing joining the field of riders, with Hector Barbera of Pramac Racing riding on Wednesday, the final day of the private test.

Unofficial lap times Monday (recorded by teams):

MotoGP (CRT) 

1. Randy De Puniet, ART 1’41.6 (57 laps)

2. Aleix Espargaró, ART 1’42.6 (47 laps)

3. Mattia Pasini, ART 1’43.3 (43 laps)

4. Danilo Petrucci, IODA 1'43.3 (43 laps)

source: MotoGP Official

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video: Lauren Vickers, De Puniet's girlfriend on Bra N Things Playboy collection

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video of Lauren Vickers, playboy playmate, Randy De Puniet's girl on Bra N Things Playboy collection.

source: Youtube

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Power Electronics new sponsor of Team Aspar MotoGP

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Multinational Power Electronics will be over from Mapfre Aspar Team in MotoGP and will be presented on Wednesday at the premises of the company in Valencia.

So MotoGP team composed of Randy De Puniet and Aleix Espargaró, with mounts, ART will go from red to blue in the technology business, which sponsor the basketball team of the city of Valencia last season.

The presentation ceremony on Wednesday will be attended by the President of Power Electronics, D. Except Abelardo Babiloni, and Vice, D. Except Amadeo, D. Except Lalo and D. David Salvo, along with Jorge Martinez 'Aspar', and one of its two pilots, Aleix Espargaró.

Power Electronics, Hispanic leader in the manufacture and distribution of variable speed drives, starters static and solar inverters.

source: Motocuatro

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Gino Borsoi on the Aspar CRT project

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The former rider and current manager of the Valencia team presents the bike that Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaró will contest this year in the premier class.

The new CRT adventure begins with the start of the 2012 MotoGP ™ World Championship, and the Aspar Team is playing a pioneering role in the class. Last week in Valencia, riders Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaró had their first contact with the ART prototype. Gino Borsoi spoke with motogp.com about the characteristics of the new bike and in the attached video you can see its potential.

source: MotoGP Official

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De Puniet closes Valencia test with fastest lap

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The three riders piloting MotoGP™ CRT (Claiming Rule Team) bikes continued with development of the ART machine, with Randy de Puniet of the Aspar Team topping the timesheets with a best lap of 1’34.9, seven tenths better than his teammate Aleix Espargaró and nearly two seconds ahead of Italy's Mattia Pasini (Speed Master).

"Today the conditions were worse, the cold and wind have caused the track to have even less grip than yesterday, and it cost us more to catch up. Yet we improved our lap times, but I am convinced that we would have improved more if the conditions were better," said De Puniet. "Today we continued working hard on the electronics, and also on managing the engine braking and the clutch. We're leaving Valencia happy to have collected a good amount of information, and defined the next steps forward for the next tests at Jerez as well. The year has started great, I hope we continue in the same way. "

In the Moto3 category, reliability has been the key with the new bikes, and this seems to have been achieved by all the teams present, havinf completed the second day of testing successfully and with no major mechanical issues with the KTM powered bikes at the Cheste circuit. The fastest rider of the day was Sandro Cortese, with a time of 1’43.2 being the best of his 48 laps; while three tenths behind the German was Luis Salom, who recorded the fasted time on the first day of practice. Third was Hector Faubel, who finished just over half a second behind Cortese.

The Moto3 riders return next week along with the Moto2 field for the Official IRTA test at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, from the 8th to the 10tho of February, with free access for spectating fans.

Unofficial day two times provided by teams:

1.- Randy De Puniet 1’34.9 35 laps

2.- Aleix Espargaró 1’35.6 46 laps 

3.- Mattia Pasini 1'36.7 43 laps 

Moto3 1.- Sandro Cortese 1’43.2 48 laps 

2.- Luis Salom 1’43.5 31 laps 

3.- Héctor Faubel 1’43.8 56 laps > 4.- Niklas Ajo 1’44.0 50 laps 

5.- Zulfahmi Khairuddin 1’44.1 43 laps 

6.- Alberto Moncayo 1’44.2 52 laps 

7.- Danny Kent 1’44.2 64 laps 

8.- Brad Binder 1’45.7 49 laps 

9.- Arthur Sissis 1’46.2 55 laps

source: motogp official

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Valencia hosts first Test of the 2012 Championship

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Almost in parallel with the test that the majority of the MotoGP™ teams are attending in Malaysia—starting tomorrow at Sepang—the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia today saw Aleix Espargaró, Randy De Puniet (Aprilia Aspar) and Mattia Pasini (Speed Master) take their first laps aboard their respective CRT machines, with several Moto3™ riders joining them.

The MotoGP™ season kicked off at the Valencia circuit with a private test that saw several CRT (Claiming Rule Team) riders aboard the bikes that will debut in the MotoGP World Championship this season. Aleix Espargaró was the first to take advantage of the sunny weather, taking to the asphalt around 11am aboard the ART bike of the Aspar Team.

The team led by Jorge "Aspar" Martínez is the most active at this test, with four riders present: Alongside Espargaró was Frenchman Randy De Puniet and the team’s two Moto3 representatives, Hector Faubel and Alberto Moncayo.

De Puniet, who sports the same number 14 that he rode with in 2011 during his time with Pramac Racing, waited until late in the morning take to the track on his CRT and immediately lapped faster than Espargaró.

With the rest of the MotoGP field preparing for the first Official Test at Sepang, Italian rider Mattia Pasini made his debut at Valencia in the premier class following the announcement last weekend of his move to MotoGP with the Speed Master the team. Pasini completed his first laps at the controls of the ART (Aprilia Racing Technology) bike, which included a minor crash shortly after his first outing.

Ajo Motorsports also had four riders present at the test: Zulfahmi Khairuddin riding for Air Asia Sic Ajo and the Red Bull KTM Ajo trio composed of Sandro Cortese, Danny Kent and Australian rookie Arthur Sissis (runner-up Red Bull Rookies Cup champion 2011).

Luis Salom (RW Racing), who suffered some technical problems throughout the session, his teammate Brad Binder (arriving in World Championship from the Rookies Cup) and Finland's Niklas Ajo—the only team representative from the TT Motion Events team—completed the group of the Moto3 riders present at this test.

Unofficial lap times Monday (recorded by teams):

MotoGP (CRT) 

1.- Randy De Puniet, ART 1.35.3 (38 laps)

2.- Aleix Espargaró, ART 1’36.7 (47 laps)

3.- Mattia Pasini, ART 1’37.8 (30 laps)

Moto3

1.- Luis Salom, 1’43.2 (32 laps)

2.- Alberto Moncayo, 1’43.3 (52 laps)

3.- Héctor Faubel, 1’43.7 (62 laps) 

3.- Sandro Cortese, 1’43.7 (48 laps) 

5.- Nikklas Ajo, 1’43.9 (50 laps) 

6.- Danny Kent, 1’44.6 (45 laps) 

7.- Zulfahmi Khairuddin, 1’45.4 (44 laps) 

8.- Arthur Sissis, 1’45.9 (45 laps) 

9.- Brad Binder, 1’47.2 (25 laps) 

source: motogp official

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Lauren Vickers on Playboy

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At the beginning of the year 2012, the first character of MotoGP to finish on the cover was ... De Puniet, but not Randy, but his half, Lauren Vickers who won last year after the first page of Playboy Italy has now stormed the publication in Spain mate.

"En Exclusive MotoGP desnuda de muse" , says the shriek yell ... that will really responsible for Dorna, so attentive to detail at times to lose the photography together: MotoGP is written in two separate words, rather than assembled , as stated in the manual of the full-bodied brand.

For now, we're sure, readers will not if this little imperfection ...

For the record this year that Randy mention race with the team of Martinez Aspar Aprilia with a CRT in tandem with Aleix Aspargarò

source: GP One

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Nine CRT entries 'approved' for MotoGP 2012

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During the final Grand Prix Commission meeting of 2011, held on December 14 in Madrid, the following MotoGP rule changes and announcements were made, effective from January 2012.

The changes confirm the amount of tyres available in the aftermath of the MotoGP testing restrictions being lifted; that a red rear light must be displayed on all bikes in wet conditions (as in F1); that the minimum weight for next year's 1000cc bikes has been raised by 4kg and that nine CRT entries - plus one reserve - have been approved for the 2012 MotoGP season.

CRT entries have already been announced for Colin Edwards (NGM Forward Racing), Randy de Puniet (Aspar), Aleix Espargaro (Aspar), James Ellison (PBM), Anthony West (Speed Master) and Michele Pirro (Gresini).

The other three and the reserve are likely to come from Ioda Racing, BQR, Team Grillini and Team Laglisse.

These add to the twelve factory-built bikes, meaning MotoGP looks set for a grid of 21 riders next season, up from 17 (all factory built) in 2011.

source: crash

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