Lorenzo confirmed for Portimao test, street and MotoGP bikes present

A MotoGP test at Portimao has been confirmed for October 7-8, ahead of the circuit's grand prix debut on November 19-22.

The test - just before the French Grand Prix - will feature a mix of MotoGP machines used by official test riders, plus MotoGP riders learning the challenging Portuguese circuit on street bikes.

Among the test riders confirmed for the outing is triple MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo, who will be making his first Yamaha laps since his test rider debut at Sepang in February.

Lorenzo will be joined by former rival and current KTM test rider Dani Pedrosa, plus Ducati's Michele Pirro and Honda's Stefan Bradl.

The final test entry list is yet to be published, but 14 MotoGP race riders are so far confirmed as attending the test on production bikes.

"It’s a nice track. Clearly I will go with the Panigale to have a bike with power and learn the track," said Johann Zarco. "I tested the R6 5 years ago and I already don’t remember all the corners.

"What I see on TV is it's the kind of track that’s well made to enjoy. Not all tight corners, going at 50kph. What can be difficult is it’s uphill and downhill with a powerful bike it’s hard to manage. Moto3 it’s the best, Moto2 on the limit and MotoGP I don’t know. Maybe the lap time difference between Moto2 and MotoGP will be low. It seems a bit tricky to use the power of the MotoGP bike."

Valentino Rossi confirmed that the VR46 Academy will attend a private Portimao test on a different date, again with road bikes.

Official test - MotoGP riders (production bikes):

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team)

Jack Miller (Pramac Racing)

Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)

Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu)

Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3)

Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)

Johann Zarco (Esponsorama Racing)

Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing)

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini)

Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda Team)

Iker Lecuona (Red Bull KTM Tech 3)

Bradley Smith (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini)

Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol)