Image: Supplied.

A ‘very positive’ first Pirelli Moto2 and Moto3 test is complete at Catalunya with riders and teams having the opportunity to sample and provide feedback on the tyre brand that will be used exclusively in the two categories from 2024.

Testing began at 10am yesterday and ended at 5:30pm and the riders of each of the two classes completed three sessions for a total of over three hours on the Catalunya circuit with asphalt temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees Celsius, in sunny weather.

Both the Moto2 and Moto3 riders used Diablo Superbike slick tyres in soft and medium compounds for both the front and rear. The Moto2 size is 125/70 R17 front and 200/65 R17 rear, while in Moto3 100/70 R17 fronts and 120/70 R17 rears were used.

No official lap times were provided but the sensors on the start/finish straight were active and each team was therefore able to record their own times.

“For Pirelli, the balance of this first test with Moto2 and Moto3 teams and riders is certainly very positive,” said Pirelli motorcycle racing director Giorgio Barbier. “The Montmelo circuit is quite demanding for the tyres, therefore, it was an excellent testing ground to carry out the first test and immediately verify the goodness of our product.

“Even in the absence of official lap times, we have seen that we are already very fast and that the wear levels are very good, above all if we consider that today was a very first test in plug and play conditions, i.e. without the possibility of setting the bike also in consideration of the race that will take place at Misano over the weekend. We know we have a very high performance and solid product and the positive comments we received today from riders and insiders confirmed this.

“In addition to the grip and pure performance, the extremely intuitive behaviour, the immediate ease of use and the feeling of confidence expressed by the front thanks also to the good balance between the two axles were appreciated. The riders were able to push hard right from the start thanks to the control and precision that our tyres were able to guarantee, in other words they immediately perceived a feeling of great safety.

“And these were unanimous comments, there were no dissenting voices. An excellent start and I am convinced that when the machines will be set up for our tyres in the best possible way, they will be able to fully exploit their full potential.”

Dunlop has been the longtime exclusive and official supplier of both the intermediate and lightweight world championship classes, as Pirelli’s deal – which does span the Road to MotoGP as the sole tyre supplier for all classes of the FIM JuniorGP World Championship, the Asia Talent Cup, the Northern Talent Cup and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup – commences next year in what is the start of a three-year agreement.