The Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 MotoGP™ squad was not done yet with Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, as Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez jumped back on their bikes on Monday morning for the ultimate test of 2024, the Misano Test, a key day before the oversea rounds, where important decisions for 2025 are usually taken.
After his dramatic San Marino race on Sunday, rookie Pedro Acosta did his homework on Monday, with some serious work done as the #31 completed a total of 77 laps across the day. The official start of the Misano Test was at 9:00am this morning, but the rain from overnight left the track with some damp marks, and there was nothing happening for the first hour. A busy testing schedule awaited next season’s Red Bull KTM Factory rider, with a new engine, a seat unity prototype and some aero parts to try out. Acosta finally made his first laps just before 11:00 with the track being ready for the work. He was the one who worked the most between 11:00 and 12:00 with 13 laps completed, and by the end of session 1 at 13:00, he had completed 29 laps with an improved 1’31.165, one that sat him second behind Jorge Martin. In the afternoon, the rookie continued to get the laps in, as he completed another 48 laps, with his fastest lap in the low 1’31, in 1’31.052. That sits him 4th overall in the Misano Test standings, but the most important is that there were many positives from the day to bring to the remainder of the season to give the rookie that extra push, and some key data for engineers to prepare for next season.
Augusto Fernandez’ testing program was spread just across the morning. The track conditions reduced his track time, but he joined the party at similar times to teammate Acosta. The goal of the morning was to try some parts at the rear suspension to answer some question marks from the manufacturer to enhance the bike’s overall performance. The Spaniard completed a total of 33 laps in the morning, with a fastest lap in 1’32.492 that placed him 16th of the first session. There were some positives from this track time, in addition to important data gathered for next round. It is time for a very-much deserved week at home before heading back to Misano next week, which will be the last European round before the flyaway races.