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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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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Espargaro receives final day reward

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After struggling with sickness and a lack of front-end feel during the first two days of testing at Jerez, Aleix Espargaro lopped 1.5sec from his lap time during a promising final day.

The Power Electronics Aspar rider finished the test 0.8sec behind team-mate Randy de Puniet, but moved back ahead of Speed Master's Mattia Pasini to be the second-best ART rider.

"The first day I was sick, yesterday was better, but a little off, then from this morning the feeling was great,” said Espargaro, returning to MotoGP after a season in Moto2. 

“Today we worked a lot on the front, and succeeded in gaining confidence. We changed the forks and greatly improved our times. I didn't expect to improve so much.

“I'm leaving Jerez happy. The first two days were not very productive, but we kept working hard and finally today we received our reward. 

“The bike is working better than [the previous test] in Valencia, and it is important to see that we are evolving gradually.”

Espargaro also offered his condolences to fellow Spanish grand prix rider Esteve Rabat, following a family bereavement.

“I want to send a giant hug to my friend Tito Rabat who is undergoing a tough time following the loss of his mother,” said Aleix, older brother of 2012 Moto2 rider Pol.

source: crash.net

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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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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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Espargaro: "Aprilia will be the bike to beat among the CRTs"

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Just ahead of the second test round of the season for CRT teams and riders next week in Jerez, Aleix Espargaró spoke with motogp.com about his impressions of the project that will return him to the premier class.

It’s difficult to find someone in the MotoGP™ paddock with the enthusiasm of Aleix Espargaró when facing new adventures, and now that he has the opportunity to return to the top class in 2012 he is especially motivated and enthusiastic. The rider from Granollers, just outside Barcelona, recently debuted the Aspar Team’s ART bike at the first preseason test in Valencia, and will continue developing the bike at the Jerez circuit in a test next week. But first he will make a stop in Paterna (Valencia) where his team will officially present the multinational Power Electronics company as their primary sponsor of the MotoGP Aspar Team. In this interview, Espargaró shared his views on the project and his progress thus far.

Aleix, at the end of last season when you signed with the Aspar team, it was originally to run in the Moto2 class. Then this CRT project for MotoGP came up. Are you where you want to be in 2012?

"MotoGP is better for me, for my size and weight I’ll have less of a handicap. And the start of the project has been exciting. "

On one hand, you’ll have many options to stand out among the other CRTs but on the other hand, having a rider like Randy De Puniet on the same bike and in the same box ...

"Yes, they always say that your friend is your first enemy, and in this case even more so. Randy is a very experienced rider and very very fast. But I really like him, at the Valencia test we talked a lot and we helped each other out, the most important thing is to make our bike the best CRT. It’s a year to gain experience and develop the bike and I think between the two of us we can do a good job."

Do you think it will it be a year of gradual evolution or think you’ll see some quick progress, perhaps after the first part of the championship? What expectations do you have in this regard?

"It’s clear that we will evolve and CRTs will get progressively closer to the front. It’s logical and obvious that we’ll suffer in the first few races, but the idea and the goal must be to get better in every GP and then toward middle or end of the year to be as close as we can to the front, especially at the smaller circuits."

Your opinion after the Valencia test was positive, you even had some pleasant surprises, like with the level of tire grip. What are you going to focus on next with the bike?

"As far as power and riding, the bike is very different from a Moto2 bike, and I have had to re-adjust my riding. But I'm happy, the bike works great. We have to learn to make good use of the electronics, I think that’s the most important thing, and like I said, I also have to adapt and improve the bike gradually. It’s clear that the initial package will be inferior to what we will have at the end of the season, it’s going to evolve."

Regarding suspension, brakes, chassis, tires and other components, it isn’t so different from the MotoGP bikes. Which aspects do you think you’ll have to work on more to optimize the ART CRT ?

"I see it as an improved Superbike. The times are going to be between a Superbike and MotoGP bike. A little faster than the Sperbike, a little slower than a MotoGP bike. In terms of power, I think we can still improve a little. And I think that we’re not too far off. As for electronics, the CRT concept is somewhat less sophisticted than a MotoGP bike, less complex, and with far fewer telemetry channels, but it’s clear that what we have works well and we have to try to improve it."

At the first test in Valencia, there were no other CRTs there, they were at the test in Malaysia, so the first direct comparison between all the 2012 CRT's is coming up shortly. Will you be at the test in Jerez next week?

"I don’t know for sure. Clearly, I would have liked to have gone to Malaysia, but it made sense not to go, the bike is still green and training in Europe is much safer, because if something happens you have the factory next door. So we haven’t been measured against the teams that went to Malaysia, and now we are going to test in Jerez, then in Aragon, and then again at the Official Test in Jerez, which means that we’ll see where we are before the Grand Prix in Qatar, though I think the Aprilia will be the bike to beat in the CRT category."

"We'll see where we are with respect to Colin (Edwards), who seemed to be the best in Malaysia. The Sepang track is a bit misleading though because it’s fast and the power of the 1000cc is really noticeable there, but if we do better than the BMW-Suter on tracks like Aragon, Valencia and Jerez, then the objective has to be 2 to 2.5 seconds off pole."

Experienced and fast riders like Edwards and De Puniet won’t make it easy for you to be the first rider on a CRT ...

"No, nor others like Pasini, a rider with no experience in the class, but really fast ... I think it'll be fun. We’ll get left behind by the MotoGP bikes - but we have to try to be close, because then everything will be more competitive-- but we’ll focus on trying to beat all CRTs. Like I said, I think the Aprilia motorcycle will start as the favorite, so de Puniet will be the strongest rival. I'd be very happy if I could be the first CRT."

What is the atmosphere like in the Aspar team surrounding this new project?

"We are excited, about our team and about the Aprilia. The bike is brand new and the truth is that when it arrived, we liked it a lot. Jorge Martinez and Aprilia are working hard and we all can’t wait to see how far we can go this year."

For someone like you with the reputation of being a good test rider, to embark on a project like this should be particularly exciting ...

"Yes, I was fortunate enough to develop the first Moto2 bikes that were in Spain, with Dani Devahive, and then I went to the World Championship and got on the podium with a Moto2. Now I really want to do something great with this bike. Jorge has one of the best teams in the Championship, it’s a professional environment and with Aprilia it’s great ... it's a very exciting project, I really want us to be competitive and do something big "

And starting tomorrow, you’ll have a new sponsor ....

"Yes, I’ll be at the presentation in Paterna (Valencia) with the team. Jorge is making an amazing effort, he started testing the new bikes without a sponsor. Now the sponsor has been finalized and hopefully with a bit of luck and we can do well in the races and in the Championship "

source: MotoGP Official

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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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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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Nico Terol and Aleix Espargaró, satisfied with the touchdown today at Valencia

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Nico Terol has finally released its new category, one touchdown day, which has been used to gain a foothold on a whole new frame for it. At the end of the day completed fifty-three turns short runs of five to eight laps.

At his side in the box, a new face in the Mapfre Aspar Team, Aleix Espargaró, an experienced pilot in the category is not well with Suter, since it was the first time I had occasion to test the Swiss mount. Catalan track opened at 10.30 but around noon he suffered a fall in the Eleventh Circuit Ricardo Tormo curve, which compelled him to return to the pits to repair his bike. Fortunately, he has emerged unscathed from the shock with its front wheel, and three in the afternoon I went back to the track to complete two more hours of work.

Nico Terol (53 laps): "At last I could get on my new bike. It's something totally different to what I had tried so far. Today I have found that to handle a four-stroke bike you have to vary much driving style , I find it very funny. Today was a day to shoot, accumulate miles, take the first sensations, and gather information to continue working tomorrow. So far this bike seems more fun than the 125, you notice more engine and drift rather I've also noticed much difference in the changes of direction, it is normal, the bike weighs twice. However the biggest difference from the 125 is on the brake motor. I am very satisfied with the first contact, our goal is but always take small steps forward. This bike gives me a lot of security when opening gas is not as rigid as the 125, and also because my first impression, your response is fairly predictable. I was intrigued to see what I would send the bike was a motivation that I needed, tonight I will sleep very comfortable. "

Aleix Espargaró (34 laps): "I am very happy to try a Suter. I could compare with my old bike, and there best and other various aspects. What is clear is that we have much work. This first experience has been fascinating, especially the technical staff know Mapfre Aspar Team. They all have very clear ideas, it is easy to work with. The feeling with the bike has been very positive even though I've only completed thirty-four laps. At noon I had a fall and had to stop to fix the bike. Even if private workouts always fight against the stopwatch, but the important thing now, if we want to go fast on this bike, you understand and know how we can squeeze it, based on accumulated experience. It is very docile, easy changes of direction, however in some corners I need to gain confidence with the front wheel. My presence in the Mapfre Aspar Team next season is a confirmed fact, and I am very happy because it is one of the best World Cup teams. "

Source: Aspar Team

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Aleix Espargaró continues in Moto2, as Nico Terol partner in the Aspar Team

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The transfer market, the comings and goings of drivers and teams, not to. And today we have woken up with a story that really did not expect anymore. When it seemed that Aleix Espargaró to jump back to MotoGP with the CRT Team Jorge Martinez Aspar, it turns out that no, definitely falls into the category of Moto2 , but yes, it does with the Aspar Team.

Thus, we have confirmed the two pilots who will be part of Team Aspar in Moto2, after already knew that the recent 125cc World Champion, Nico Terol, will jump in the team category with Jorge. Of course, this leaves a news Aleix CRT MotoGP free in 2012. Obviously, there are rumors, and although not more than that, yes it's true sounding names such as Toni Elias and Andrea Iannone to fill that gap.

But what has made ​​me more grace, is the three-way change has occurred with this confirmation. And it leaves Aleix Pons Racing for Team Aspar, Julito Simon leaves the Aspar Team BQR , and Tito Rabat leaves BQR by Pons Racing. Curious, no? And all so happy, hey. The prospects are set to fight for the privileged position in each race, though of course we can not forget Marc Marquez, who will undoubtedly be the man to beat. Nothing, I just finished the 2011 season and we are looking forward to running pilots with their new teams. For now, Aleix Espargaró begins its preseason with the Aspar Team on Wednesday at Valencia.

source: motorpasionmoto

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Only 1 Rider For Pramac Ducati 2011

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Pramac Ducati will not use 2 riders on next 2011 MotoGP. After rumors that Max Neukirchner, superbikes rider will join Pramac next season, now there's a new rumors said that Pramac will only use 1 rider. And the name of the rider is Loris Capirossi. 

Although it was not official, but Capirossi's manager, Carlo Pernat insisting that the contract has been signed. It also underlined by Rizla Suzuki's Francis Batta that next season, Rizla Suzuki only use 1 rider. And the strong candidate for this position is Alvaro Bautista. Alvaro Bautista had a good progress in a view 2010 races.

So if this rumors is correct, we will not see Aleix Espargaro and Mika Kallio again at the MotoGP race next season. Poor performance from Mika Kallio maybe is the main point why this Finland rider moved to Moto2  with Ajo Motorsport next season. Also Aleix Espargaro that joined his brother Pol on Moto2.

In the next season MotoGP, there are only 15 bikes, after Interwetten Honda will pulling out due to budget and sponsorship problem.

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