Gabriel Rodrigo in great form ahead of Moto3 season

Like the Moto2 Gresini Racing team, the Moto3 line-up is a brand new one for the 2021 season with Gabriel Rodrigo and Jeremy Alcoba joining the team. 

Both riders got their first taste of track action in their new colours during the recent test at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Valencia. It was a two-day test for all the riders involved and the opportunity to get familiar with their teams ahead of round one in Qatar. 

Rodrigo joins the team as the most experienced of the two with seven seasons in Moto3 to his name. Rodrigo was among the leading group of riders during the test as he set some impressive lap times and found a good feeling with his new bike. 

The Argentine rider had a minor crash in the morning's final running, but was generally quick and even managed to break the 1m39s barrier.

Speaking after the test, Rodrigo was very upbeat about his time on track calling it the 'best test in years', but also took the time to pay tribute to former team boss Fausto Gresini, who sadly lost his life this week after an extensive battle against Covid-19. 

“The test has been excellent. The feeling with the bike was incredible already yesterday, and today we were able to improve some more courtesy of a fantastic set-up, which allowed us to be quick also with used tyres." said Rodrigo.

"We’re already quicker than last year and things are as smooth as silk, except for a small crash. Maybe this has been the best test in years for me.

"To be getting on track after only a day from the sad news of Fausto’s passing away was very complicated: we decided to race anyway to honour him and if we want to win for him this year, then this test was crucial. It’s an honour to have his logo on the bike, and we’ll do our best to win for him.”

While it was a great test for Rodrigo, the same could not be said for Alcoba who struggled in the absence of his crew chief. Alcoba said: “We had a pretty bad start yesterday, as we surely felt the absence of my chrew chief Ivano.

"We still did our best, but it was a difficult day in which we tried to find some solution despite him not being here (Ivano). Today was a little bit better, even though today’s times should have arrived yesterday already.

"It is what it is, and I’m still happy to have started my work ahead of Portimao. I didn’t think we would have raced at all these days, so I think the work done during these days will help to give Fausto a season in which we’ll race only for him.”

With the first round of the season starting on the 28th of March and limited track-time between now and then, every opportunity to test the bike will be important for riders and teams.