Moto2: Sam Lowes Quickest During Private Testing At Valencia

Editorial Note: Americans Cameron Beaubier (American Racing Team), Sean Dylan Kelly (American Racing Team), and Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) were not testing at Valencia.

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More, from a press release issued by Marc VDS Racing Team:

Lowes and Arbolino top the timesheets at Valencia test

The Elf Racing Marc VDS duo made an eye-catching start to the 2022 preseason by posting the first and second fastest times at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit.

The 2022 preseason kicked off at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit outside Valencia as Elf Marc VDS Racing Team riders Sam Lowes and Tony Arbolino enjoyed two productive days of testing.

Lowes made a flying start when reunited with his Marc VDS machine. The Englishman was the fastest rider over two days, setting a fastest time of 1’35.705.

Arbolino was equally as impressive in second place, his time of 1’35.822 just 0.117s off Lowes’ best.

The riders now have a short period to rest before facing two more crucial days of testing at Jerez on the 8th and 9th of February.

Sam Lowes #22

The Briton initially used the 2022 Kalex chassis with his base setting from last year while testing several different swingarms.

The 31-year old established a comfortable riding position on the bike and worked on finding extra confidence with the front end of his machine.

Thanks to the team’s hard work as well as his excellent feedback, Lowes is confident he has found a solid set-up direction which will be confirmed at the Jerez test next week.

“I’m really happy with the work done in these two days”

“I’m really happy with the work done in these two days. I was trying lots of components, especially today. Yesterday was more about getting back up to speed. But today we tried many things. As always in testing some were good, some weren’t. But we found a nice direction. It’s been a good two days to get back into the riding side of things. I felt confident and I’m looking forward to Jerez and making step so we are ready for Qatar. Overall, I’m very happy. I enjoyed it. It was a great job done by the team as they were busy days. Now we have a few days to relax and then on to Jerez!”

Tony Arbolino #14

This was Tony’s first chance to try the 2022 Kalex chassis and he spent some of the first day working on a favourable riding position.

The 21-year old worked closely with his team throughout the two days to improve his confidence with the front end of his motorcycle.

After adjusting the geometry and weight balance of the bike, the Italian was delighted with the improvements.

“We’ll keep going and keep working hard to reach our objective”

“It was a great test! We worked really well during the two days and we tested many things. The team worked really hard to give me a better bike which allowed me to feel more comfortable on it. I’m really proud of them for that. From here we’ll keep going and keep working hard to reach our objective. Now I’m really looking forward to going to Jerez for two more days of important testing. There we’ll be able to evaluate what we’ve tested here. I’m really happy.”

More, from a press release issued by Mooney VR46 Racing Team:

GOOD FEELINGS AT VALENCIA FOR THE MOONEY VR46 RACING TEAM

First testing session of the 2022 for the duo Vietti Ramus – Antonelli respectively in P4 and P8 in the combined standings

Valencia (Spain), February 4th 2022 – First test of the 2022 pre-season archived more than positively in Valencia for the Mooney VR46 Racing Team. Two days of work with particularly favorable weather conditions and a first convincing approach to the new Kalex with Celestino Vietti Ramus among the fastest guys, in P4, and Niccolò Antonelli in 8th place.

Fast from the start, despite a crash in today that forced him into the garage for a couple of hours, Celestino seems to have found the good sensations with which he has closed the last season. After the good 01.35.827 signed yesterday (65 laps), today he has maintained a very similar pace (01.35.845).

Apprenticeship underway for Niccolò Antonelli, rookie in Moto2, who continues to gain confidence with the Kalex. More than 100 laps in the two days (01.37.302 yesterday) and a final best lap time of 01.36.729.

Next appointment on the track, for both, from February 16th in Jerez de la Frontera for the penultimate test of the 2022 pre-season of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team.

Celestino Vietti

Positive results: we have worked on various aspects to be able to take the measurements of the new Kalex and find a good base setting that we can use throughout the season. Today a crash has changed a bit our program, a pity, but we go home happy with what we have done here.
 

Niccolo Antonelli 

Two important days: we worked on the riding position in order to be more comfortable on the Kalex. We did several changes, but then we managed to find the feeling we wanted and make a step forward also in terms of lap times. I’m happy, it went as I expected. We will continue to work hard with the whole Team towards the next test.

Luca Brivio

Team Manager

It was nice to be back on track after a long winter, it was two intense days, but overall positive. Celestino finished in the Top4, he immediately felt comfortable riding the new Kalex and the sensations are more than positive. He still has a lot of work to do, but the first impact is good. Niccolò also did well, closing in crescendo this afternoon. We continue in this direction, to work and to help him in his apprenticeship in the new category. We go to Jerez and then Portimao motivated to do well.