Granado sets record for new MotoE era

MotoE’s opening official test of the new Ducati era saw three days at Jerez Circuit - Angel Nieto topped by LCR’s Eric Granado.

The first track action of 2023’s FIM Enel MotoE World Championship saw four 15-minute sessions across each of the three days. Monday’s schedule was impacted by rain while Tuesday’s more promising forecast allowed the grid to put the Bologna machines through their paces.

Granado, having missed the opening day after travelling back from the WorldSBK event in Indonesia where he was struck down by gastroenteritis, was back on form in Spain. The Brazilian headed the day’s overall times with a 1’47.053, set during a rapid late afternoon outing, with ten riders under the 1’48 barrier by the close of play. Felo Gresini’s Matteo Ferrari was the closest challenger to the LCR rider with Pons’ Nicolas Spinelli and Mattia Casadei holding off Dynavolt Intact GP rookie Randy Krummenacher in the top five.

With Wednesday seeing the return of the rain, Granado’s pacer remained unbeaten as the test concluded. Tech 3’s Hikari Okubo, Aspar’s Jordi Torres, Kevin Manfredi (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse), Dynavolt’s Hector Garzo and the second LCR of Miquel Pons completed the top ten with just seventh tenths covering the group. While Jerez fails to feature on the 2023 calendar, MotoE will be back in testing action at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in early April ahead of May’s season opener at Le Mans.

MotoE Jerez combined times

1 51 Eric GRANADO BRA LCR E-TEAM 1:47.053 2 11 Matteo FERRARI ITA FELO GRESINI MotoE 1:47.310 3 29 Nicolas SPINELLI ITA PONS RACING 40 1:47.478 4 40 Mattia CASADEI ITA PONS RACING 40 1:47.504 5 3 Randy KRUMMENACHER SWI DYNAVOLT INTACT GP 1:47.524 6 78 Hikari OKUBO JAP TECH3 E-RACING 1:47.526