The new Ajo Motorsport project begins official Moto2 preseason testing with the fastest time in Valencia, in a week hit by rain.

Although two of the three scheduled days were hit by rain, Johann Zarco nevertheless leaves Valencia pleased and with the feeling of having done his homework. The Frenchman was able to draw important conclusions for the setup of his Kalex, both in dry and wet conditions. His time of 1:34.754 –the fastest lap recorded at the circuit– on Tuesday, was the quickest of the test.

The times from the opening day of the test decided the overall positions on the first Official Test timesheets. The rain did not let up from Wednesday and conditions on Thursday were also affected by oil spilt on the track. However, on Wednesday Zarco was quickest in the wet during the second session –the only run in which he participated– whilst today he completed 24 laps during his solitary session. His best lap from this Thursday was 1:48.864.

The preseason continues from Tuesday of next week at the Jerez Circuit (Spain). There, the Ajo Motorsport rider wants to continue his excellent adaptation to the Kalex.

Results – Combined Sessions Day 1-2-3
1. Johann Zarco (Kalex) 1:34.754
2. Sam Lowes (Speed Up) 1:35.106 +0.352
3. Tito Rabat (Kalex) 1:35.145 +0.391
4. Thomas Luthi (Kalex) 1:35.194 +0.440
5. Xavier Simeon (Kalex) 1:35.264 +0.510

Team Manager – Aki Ajo
“The start Johann [Zarco] has made has been amazing. In November he was amongst the fastest riders in Jerez and Valencia, and he has now followed on from that –both last week in Almeria and now again in Valencia. Unfortunately we could only ride on a dry track for one day, but once again he did a very good job. I am also very happy with how the entire team worked. As we have already gone faster than the circuit record here, then it is reason to be very happy.”

Johann Zarco

“The conclusions have to be positive, because I was the fastest on a dry track. Then we had two days in the wet and it was very cold, so we could not put in too many laps. However, even under these conditions we continued to work hard with the team to gather data and find out where we can improve. The feeling with the bike has been good and I’m happy about that –and with how the team are working. They have a calm methodology and allow me to stay calm and understand which direction we are going. It was good to test in both types of conditions and I cannot wait to go to Jerez, because it will be a circuit for which we already have references.

Setting the best time is not the most important thing –what we want is to win races– but it is good mentally and for the team’s confidence.”