The MotoGP regulations impose a winter break on the riders to give the competitors some time off and limit the development of the bikes to the manufacturers.
How long is the winter break in MotoGP?
Article 1.15.1.1 of the MotoGP Test and Trial Regulations establishes the rule that applies to regular riders. Therefore, riders with a contract for the following season are prohibited from testing between December 1 and January 31, both inclusive.
Are all tests prohibited during the winter break in MotoGP?
Tests with a MotoGP bike are prohibited, but training with a motorcycle is not.
“These rider training sessions can take place at any circuit, at any time, even during the testing ban period. It’s a training session, they can do whatever they want, but they can’t use a class bike in the race. that they are running”, explains the MotoGP race director, Mike Webb , to the official website of the championship.
This doesn’t mean that riders can’t drive large displacement bikes on a circuit, but it has to be differentiated from a MotoGP.
“If they use bikes of the same displacement, that is, a 1000cc, it must be a standard street bike. So they can use a homologated street bike, with minor modifications allowed for safety reasons. They can change the brakes, suspension, some exhaust, but no engine or software mods. It’s basically a standard street bike, with upgrades to the tyres, brakes and suspension.”
When does the winter break in MotoGP end?
The regular drivers can do the first official test in February. Testers can participate in a shakedown in the three days prior to the official test. The shakedown is also open to manufacturers’ drivers who still enjoy the concessions and to rookies who are about to make their debut in the category (the condition for being a rookie is that they have not previously contested more than five grands prix in the category). .
The official MotoGP pre-season tests, organized by Dorna and IRTA , represent the only opportunity for a regular rider from a manufacturer without concessions to ride a MotoGP bike before the start of the championship. However, brands that do have concessions are allowed additional proof, including the presence of the owners.
Is there a summer break in MotoGP?
Yes. MotoGP also has a mandatory break in the summer, the exact dates of which are revised each year based on the calendar.
“At the request of the teams there is a summer break in the middle of the year. We try to make a break in racing and at the same time a break in testing, so that drivers and teams have the opportunity to rest after a such a busy season,” says Webb.
In 2021, the summer break was extended from July 12 to August 3.
Photos: this is how the starting grid would look after the MotoGP post-season test in Jerez
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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
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Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Dorna
