The all-new JiR Moto2 line-up of former 125cc title contender Johann Zarco and Brazilian grand prix rookie Eric Granado will continue adapting to their new 600cc MotoBI during the private test at Albacete on February 28-29.
The pair left the second of the official pre-season tests, at
Jerez last week, 23rd (Zarco) and 30th (Granado) on the unofficial timesheets.
But team principal Gianluca Montiron - whose team claimed Moto2 podiums, poles and a race win with former rider
Alex de Angelis - understands that it will take time for his rookie line-up to understand the bigger four-stroke.
“During the IRTA test in
Jerez both our riders have taken a step forward from the previous test in Valencia,” he began. “Considering the class they're coming from, the 125, the guys are working to appropriate themselves with the dynamics of the four-stroke engine, which requires a different interpretation.
“As a team we have acquired a sufficient know-how over the past two years and we are making all our knowledge available to Johann and Eric to enable them to understand that an appropriate riding style addresses many of the problems that the inertia of the four-stroke entails.
“We compared the telemetry data, spent much of our time on the track to look at and understand the different settings of riding, we now go to Albacete with the hope of finding good weather that allows us to take another step forward, so as to enable our riders to progress in their riding style.
“From a technical standpoint the MotoBI has undergone some updates even if we did not change the direction of the whole project, the use of new material from Ohlins will allow us to further progress, as well as the availability of multiple adjustments of the chassis will allow us to reach a good compromise according to each single circuit.”
However Montiron then warned that the perfect bike doesn't exist and that up-and-coming riders must be prepared to ride around problems
“It is essential that the new generation of riders understand that to adapt oneself to the bike is the element that determines success, the perfect machine doesn't exist and in Moto2 the winner will be the one who knows how to adapt to the problems better than others,” he said.