Aegerter fastest at Jerez after three-day MotoE test

Dynavolt Intact GP’s Dominique Aegerter set the pace for the opening MotoE preseason test of 2022 at Circuito De Jerez - Angel Nieto.

Pons Racing’s Jordi Torres and LCR E-Team’s Eric Granado came close to answering the 2021 runner up but with mixed conditions across the three days in Andalucia, the WorldSSP Champion’s pace from Monday would not be bettered.

Shorter sessions - with a maximum of 20 minutes on track - new engines and advanced technical components allowing weight reduction, distribution and better handling were all on show as MotoE began preseason testing at Jerez in Southern Spain this week.

Spring weather brought a range of elements for the electric class riders to contend with, Monday seeing the best conditions for a dry and bright start. Tuesday’s running was impacted by heavy rain with cold and damp conditions continuing through to Wednesday’s finale - with the penultimate session, originally intended as a qualifying simulation, cancelled.

Britain’s Bradley Smith kicked off proceedings by topping Monday’s FP1 session, and again on Wednesday morning, with Aegerter mastering the times overall due to his 1’48.634 set during the favourable afternoon conditions of day one.

Smith’s WithU GRT RNF teammate Niccolo Canepa topped day two’s action, despite the pace ten seconds adrift of the Swiss rider’s benchmark in the mixed conditions, with reigning World Cup Champion Jordi Torres just shy of his 2021 rival, thanks to a 1’48.877, as Wednesday drew to a close on a returning dry track.

LCR’s Miquel Pons was the only rider missing from 2022’s 18-strong line-up as testing began after the Spaniard had to undergo surgery due to appendicitis. Teammate Eric Granado, however, was also forced to sit out of the action