Successful two-day private test for RW Racing GP in Jerez de la Frontera

RW Racing GP can look back on a successful two-day private test at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto. Barry Baltus, Zonta van den Goorbergh and the sole Dutch Grand Prix team got their first taste of the new Kalex Moto2 machines.

Whilst Barry Baltus and Zonta van den Goorbergh both worked on their physical condition during the winter, the RW Racing GP crew was busy in the workshop building the new equipment for the upcoming season. The Dwingeloo based team has switched from NTS to Kalex as chassis supplier for their Moto2 project in 2022.

For a first taste of the new material, the team travelled to the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto in southern Spain for a two-day private test. Together with thirteen other Moto2 riders and a group of Moto3 riders, testing took place on Tuesday and Wednesday under good conditions.

An important test, a kind of Shakedown Test and an excellent opportunity for the riders, but also for the RW Racing GP crew, to get acquainted with the new material.

Despite a strong wind, which didn’t make it easier for the newcomers, both riders managed to make progress in almost every session. During the first day Baltus set a fastest lap of 1’43.654 and Van den Goorbergh set a fastest lap of 1’45.711. On Wednesday morning, both managed to go faster in their first session of the day and continue their progress. This meant that Baltus improved his fastest lap from the first day by no less than 1.129 seconds, resulting in a fastest lap time of 1’42.525. Van den Goorbergh managed to make even more progress, the rider from Breda took 2.251 seconds off his own fastest lap of the first day which eventually resulted in a fastest lap of 1’43.717.

Barry Baltus – fastest lap 1’42.525: “The first test of 2022 is over. During the first day we lost some time in the beginning, so we could only go out for the first time around 13:00. I then got on the bike and immediately wanted to go a bit too far and too fast, that was a bit of a problem for the rest of the day. But anyway, we managed to improve in every session and for a first day that was just the most important thing. The feeling was good, although the switch from NTS to Kalex took some getting used to. At the start of the second day we managed to make a big step. All my lap times were immediately faster and we ended the morning with a very good feeling. After that we did another race distance, we didn’t have luck on our side with the choice of the tyre and we were also held up a couple of times. But anyway, at the end of the day we did another time attack, in which we were unable to improve our own fastest lap time. All in all, I think we can look back on a successful first test. I’m already looking forward to the next test.”

Zonta van den Goorbergh – fastest lap 1’43.717: “After a good first day, in which I managed to improve in every session, we started the second day well. I immediately managed to improve on my fastest lap time of the first day. In the second session of the day the plan was to do another time-attack with a new tyre, but unfortunately this didn’t go to plan because we found the wrong tyre, one that didn’t have the grip like it should have. After a couple of longer runs, we tried again at the end of the day to put in a fast lap. I think I managed to do two or three laps in the 1’43’s and I was really happy with that, especially because I managed to set my fastest lap time here despite the fact that there was a lot more wind at the end of the day and the conditions were not as good. All in all, two very good test days, two days in which I learned a lot and managed to make constant progress. That’s the most important thing for now, everything step by step.”

Jarno Janssen, RW Racing GP team manager: “Things are rolling again, the first two test days of 2022 are over. For us as a team it was a bit exciting, because this year we are riding with Kalex equipment for the first time since 2017 after four seasons with NTS. But fortunately, everything soon felt familiar again and there were no problems. Fortunately we didn’t have any crashes during the two days and that’s also good, both guys were able to do a lot of laps. Especially for Zonta this is very important, as a rookie he needs to do as many laps as possible without any problems. He has done very well these two days, making little to no mistakes and progressing in almost every session. Of course, we know we still have a long way to go, but we are really pleased with his commitment and the steps he is taking. As for Barry, I think we can only be satisfied. He adapted well to the Kalex from the start, did some fast laps this morning and this afternoon during a long run he was also consistent and quite fast. So all in all we can look back on a very successful first test of 2022.”

Baltus and Van den Goorbergh won’t have to wait until the 19th, 20th and 21st of February to get back on their machines, the days when the sole official IRTA Moto2 and Moto3 Test prior to the 2022 season is scheduled in Portugal. RW Racing GP has decided to spend another two days testing at Jerez before heading to the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, some 350 km away.

Bron: Racesport.nl