Jerez Moto3 testing: Day three

Day three of the combined Moto3 and Moto2 testing at Jerez was a dry one.

Racing Team Germany ran new-spec Honda engines yesterday and today, and also tested new fairings. John also had to get himself accustomed to slipper clutch (effectively a back torque limited that delivers improved engine braking) plus a new rear braking technique.

In the first session of the day John was 17th with 1:49.316 (+2.713), ahead of teammate Jack Miller 22nd, 1:49.675 (+3.072). The top three were: Maverick Vinales (Monlau / KTM) 1:46.603, Alex Rins (Monlau / KTM) +0.455, Jonas Folger (Aspar / Kalex KTM) +0.635.

In Session 2, John was 18th with 1:49.151 (+1.359), teammate Jack Miller running 14th, 1:48.973 (+1.181). The top three were: Luis Salom (Ajo / KTM), 1:47.792, Rins (Monlau / KTM) +0.140, Miguel Oliveira (Mahindra) +0.291.

In the day’s third and final session for Moto3 John was 21st, 1:48.907 (+2.218), with Jack Miller 10th, 1:48.038 (+1.349). The top three were: Rins 1:46.689, Folger +0.321, Salom +0.405.

John spoke of his happiness with progress on Twitter: “Another new personal best lap today at Jerez… Tested a lot of new parts and moving in the right direction.”