MotoE Test 2022 - Hikari Okubo, in his second year with the Avant Ajo MotoE team in the World Cup, ended the pre-season tests by achieving the seventh best lap time and finishing the race simulation in fourth place.
The MotoE World Cup has completed its final days of testing at the Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto in preparation for the fourth season of the championship. It was not an easy few days on the Andalusian circuit; the weather once again influenced the course of the three sessions scheduled for each test day. On the first day, with a dry track, the new qualifying format in Q1 and Q2 style was tested, while on the second day the rain fell intermittently and thwarted the teams' programs. The sun only returned on the third day, allowing for a simulated race.
Okubo showed good form and performance in line with those shown on the same track in March, during the first pre-season test. Although rain reduced track time on day two, Okubo completed a total of 41 laps and was seventh in the combined three-day standings. The Japanese rider finished the race simulation held on the last day in fourth place, after a long fight with Mattia Casadei for the third step of the podium.
On the first day of practice, on a dry track, Okubo set the fifth time of the day and the third in the qualifying simulation. Due to the rain, which fell intermittently throughout the second day, the Japanese rider was only able to take advantage of the afternoon session, covering five laps in the wet, with the best time of 2:00.506.
On Wednesday, the weather gave the riders a respite, who were able to test in dry conditions. The seventh overall time in the test and the fourth place in the race simulation suggest that the rider of the Avant Ajo MotoE team has found a good set-up with which to start the season, in less than ten days, at the Spanish GP.
Results of the race simulation of the MotoE in Jerez:
1. Dominique AEGERTER / SWI
2. Hector GARZO / SPA - (+1.601)
3. Mattia CASADEI / ITA - (+6.702)
4. Hikari OKUBO / JAP - (+6.851)
5. Kevin ZANNONI / ITA - (+14.897)
The combined standings of the laptimes of the MotoE World Cup in Jerez:
1. Hector GARZO / SPA - 1:48.458
2. Dominique AEGERTER / SWI - 1:48.480 (+0.022)
3. Matteo FERRARI / ITA - 1:48.505 (+0.047)
4. Eric GRANADO / BRA - 1:48.666 (+0.208)
5. Miquel PONS / SPA - 1:48.710 (+0.254)
7. Hikari Okubo / JAP - 1:49.076 (+0.618)
Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE)
“The second pre-season test was not easy for us, because we had to deal with strange weather conditions. On Tuesday, the track was wet almost all day, however we were able to ride some laps at the end of the day. On Wednesday, the weather conditions have been better and in generally it was a great day for us, because we have clocked our personal best time. The contest simulation also went well, I felt good, and we showed a great and constant race pace. Now it’s time to keep training and getting ready for the first round of the season in two weeks in Jerez.”
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The photo gallery of the MotoE test in Jerez
At this point, the teams and riders return home but will be back in Jerez de la Frontera for the first race of the MotoE World Cup 2022, later this month, for the Spanish GP. For the event, two free practice sessions are scheduled, plus the qualifying session in the new Q1 and Q2 format and two races, one on Saturday afternoon and one on Sunday, after the MotoGP race.
Photos: (www.motogp.com)
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