What does it mean to test a MotoGP bike?

Before a factory rider climbs on the bike, the test rider prepares the prototype for the following season. The test rider’s role is fundamental for a team, as it allows the engineers and developers to have reliable, high-level feedback. In fact it is often former riders who undertake this role, bringing a wealth of experience to the table thanks to their racing background.

We’ve all seen how the KTM has improved in recent years since the arrival of Dani Pedrosa – three-time world champion and former Honda rider. Another example might be Sylvain Guintoli, test rider for Suzuki. It was also thanks to him that the Japanese team was crowned world champion in 2020. The Frenchman raced in MotoGP and later in Superbike, where he won the 2014 title aboard the Aprilia.

The role of test rider is very important because he/she is the first to approve modifications to the bike and suggest any corrections to the engineers.

What does a MotoGP test rider do?

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During the course of a season, manufacturers and teams test the bike and various components that will come to light the following season, as well as certain modifications that are mounted on the current bikes. The test riders are able to ride and gradually improve the prototype, before ‘handing it over’ to the riders who will compete with it in the championship during Shakedown week. But what does the work of a test rider really involve?

Let’s consider a typical day at the track. In the morning, the team dedicated to the test rider meets for a briefing in which they set out the day’s objectives and discuss the so-called “test items”, essentially the parts to test and the elements to evaluate.

The Savadori of the situation climbs aboard the bike and warms it up by completing a few laps, before really getting down to work and pushing hard, if needed and if the work schedule requires it. The test rider will return to the pits every so often and tell the mechanics and engineers about any problems before working to solve them, as Savadori – test rider for Aprilia – told our colleagues at InMoto not long ago: “Generally, when you head out on track, you need to make maybe 10-12 laps maintaining a particular lap time. This way, you can evaluate how effective a modification is. Then there are tests where less laps are needed – you test the modifications then come back in and start over with a counter test.”

In addition, the team often chooses to change a characteristic of the prototype to analyse its behaviour and draw conclusions. Perhaps they make changes to the electronics, so the ECU or the various sensors, or the frame, modifying the geometry of the steering head, swingarm and pivot attachment. “Let’s say there’s no precise framework to follow - continues Savadori – it depends on what you’re testing and the requests management make regarding the different areas of the bike. I even have a bike lab where we mount and test solutions that will be used right away in races. But that’s not all, as we also test details that relate to the following year’s project.”

The test rider and their relationship with the MotoGP riders

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Like any strong work team, there must also be communication between the test riders and the stars of MotoGP. “We have a great relationship – says Lorenzo in reference to Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales. “We often talk about how the bike is doing, what sensations it gives us. Even if these differ of course. But we communicate and share our views”.

The final step in the work of a test rider is when they ‘deliver’ individual modifications or a bike to the factory riders: “The most satisfying moment is definitely when I can say, “OK, we’re there, the material is ready and you can race”. That’s when the ball is passed to the factory riders who, in turn, provide their own feedback about the bike.

In conclusion, the work of these riders is fundamental in ensuring that the factory riders can perform in the race and achieve results.