Fernandez flies as Acosta acclimatizes in busy MotoGP™ Valencia test 2023 Motorsport news Augusto Fernandez builds on his promising speed from the last Grand Prix of the year at Valencia on Sunday to run quickly to 14th place in the Spanish test Incoming 2024 Rookie of the Year Pedro Acosta takes his first steps in the premier class and with a natural riding style and impressive lap-time just 1.2 seconds away (from 23 riders) from P1 on the day MotoGP now enters the off-season but less than 70 days separate the close of play in Valencia until the official test at the Sepang International Circuit in February that will fire 2024 into motion   GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 welcomed the 2023 Moto2 World Champion into the pitbox alongside the 2022 Moto2 World Champion as the new-look rider roster began work towards the 2024 season at a breezy Valencia. While Augusto Fernandez tested small modifications on his #37 GASGAS RC16 and was repeatedly in and around the top five of the timesheets during the tests, rookie Pedro Acosta began his apprenticeship with the extra demands and technical requirements of pushing a MotoGP machine to the edge.   Acosta was keen and lapped the Ricardo Tormo layout 70 times to get used to the power, ergonomics and character of his new motorcycle. Fernandez, now content to lose the ‘rookie’ tag, was given more technical options to work on and slice away more tenths from his ‘race pace’ through the seven-hour chrono.   GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3’s second all-Spanish line-up will gather again at the start of February in Asia in preparation for their second crack at the ultra-fast and gripping MotoGP contest.   Augusto Fernandez, 14th position: “We worked on small details today and completed more laps here; the ones I didn’t get to do in the race. Good laps and good pace and a good way to finish the year. I’m looking ahead to Sepang now because that’s when we’ll have the new bike and I’m keen to see how it is. I’m happy but waiting now for Malaysia.”   Pedro Acosta, 18th position: “Super-happy. It was a really good experience and nice to have that step of feeling improvement during the day. In the first run we didn’t touch any button or device. I just tried to understand what a MotoGP bike is, and how are the carbon discs. Everything. Then focusing on the devices, the electronics and other areas to have a clear idea for the winter and also for Malaysia.”   Nicolas Goyon, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 Team Manager: “The last day on track for us but the first day with a view towards 2024. It was an important day and nice to see Pedro on the bike for the first time. After his Moto2 title his next target was to test this bike and it went really well. This machine is always impressive for a rookie because of the power, brakes and devices. There was a lot to discover, and this was just the beginning. I think he enjoyed his day. Augusto had a few different items, especially aero that we didn’t have much time for during the season. This helped him to ride at a fast pace. He also tried some electronics. Overall, positive! Now it is time for everybody to take a break and then prepare as best as we can for next season. A big thanks to all the fans who have supported us in 2023. See you next year.”   Sebastian Risse, GASGAS Technical Manager: “With both our GASGAS riders I think we had a very good test today. Augusto had some items, especially with aero, and his speed meant that he gave us some good information and we have to use this and analyze over the winter with his input. Pedro had a very good start getting familiar with the team, with the bike, with the tires, with the class. For sure the conditions were a bit tricky with the wind and he did an outstanding job finding his way. We have a lot of data to bring back home and make the next steps.”   Grab GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 images from Valencia HERE   Valencia official test final combined times   1. Maverick Viñales (ESP) Aprilia 1:29.253 2. Brad Binder (RSA) KTM +0.028 3. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA) Ducati +0.093 14. Augusto Fernandez (ESP) GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 +0.824 18. Pedro Acosta (ESP) GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 +1.223   PRESS CONTACT   EVANGELIA SISSIS GASGAS BRAND & PR MANAGER ROAD RACING M: +43 676 6652 742 E: Evangelia.sissis@gasgas.com