MotoGP’s best tech shots
While MotoGP might be in lockdown along with the rest of the world during the coronavirus crisis, the technology and upgrades on show during pre-season testing still caught the eye in Malaysia and Qatar.
From Yamaha’s new holeshot device to the arrangement of aerodynamic fairings displayed by all MotoGP manufacturers, there was plenty to grab the attention during the pre-season tests. Here’s a round-up of the best that was on show at Sepang and Losail.
While MotoGP might be in lockdown along with the rest of the world during the coronavirus crisis, the technology and upgrades on show during pre-season testing still caught the eye in Malaysia and Qatar.
From Yamaha’s new holeshot device to the arrangement of aerodynamic fairings displayed by all MotoGP manufacturers, there was plenty to grab the attention during the pre-season tests. Here’s a round-up of the best that was on show at Sepang and Losail.
Featured in this selection of shots is Cal Crutchlow’s scooter-style rear brake on his Honda RC213V which he has being working with over the past year, along with the Honda aerodynamic and engine upgrades Marc Marquez has trialled during the winter.
Yamaha also gave glimpses of its ‘starfish’ shaped holeshot device following Ducati’s introduction of its own device.
On the KTM, a variety of aerodynamic fairings have been on show of the winter from ‘sawtooth’ edging to the gurney flaps, along with the beam frame which initially made its public debut in the post-season tests at Valencia and Jerez last November.
Both Ducati and Aprilia showed off an array of different aerodynamic fairings, while the new 90-degree V4 engine underneath the body work of the Aprilia gathered further attention.
But at the Qatar test, Ducati grabbed the tech spotlight once again with its rider-height adjuster after footage emerged.
Suzuki also joined in with a different specification aluminium swingarm and double pipe exhaust.
While future tech developments were in the pipeline before the suspension to the 2020 MotoGP season, series bosses agreed to a development freeze to drastically reduce costs for teams and manufacturers amid the delays and potential cancellation to races which would mean a drop in revenue.
Currently, the German MotoGP remains the premier class opener for 2020 at Sachsenring on June 21, but that date looks increasingly under threat due to the ongoing restrictions on public events across in Europe as part of measures to battle the spread of the coronavirus.
