Tech3 E-Racing completed their second and final three-day test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Wednesday, with italian Alessandro Zaccone and Japanese Hikari Okubo now fully ready for the 2023 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship, set start at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans on May 19-20-21.

DAY 1
Unlike the rainy conditions from the first test in Jerez early March which made it difficult for Tech3 E-Racing riders to complete their testing programme, weather conditions were ideal on Monday for the opening day. With a busy testing programme on the menu to continue learning about the new Ducati V21L, both Zaccone and Hikari took full advantage of the much needed dry track. At the end of play, Zaccone placed himself seventh in the combined standings (1’49.241) and teammate Hikari Okubo was just behind in eighth with a fastest lap in 1’49.779.

DAY 2
Tuesday was again sunny and left track conditions ideal again for the electric class to continue with their testing programme, including a qualifying simulation. With already a day off in the pockets, times were able to go down for most of the class, including Tech3 E-Racing riders. In the qualifying simulation, Zaccone finished seventh (1’48.481) while Okubo was unable to set a time following a small crash. To conclude the day, Zaccone topped the final free practice session with a fastest lap in 1’48.194, to finish amongst the fastest riders of day 2.

DAY 3
For the final day of testing, the electric class did a race simulation following their qualifying results from the past day, at the end of which Zaccone finished in P7 and Okubo in P10. The day then went on with additional free practice sessions to conclude the Barcelona Test. Italian Zaccone completed the day in eighth (1'48.151) and Okubo in twelfth (1'48.618). In the combined three days, Zaccone finishes in ninth and teammate Okubo in P12.

Tech3 E-Racing riders Hikari Okubo and Alessandro Zaccone complete their preseason programme with very positive feelings on their Ducati, and will now be eager to start racing in Le Mans at the French Grand Prix.

Alessandro Zaccone

"We tried many things over the last three days – and we now need to put all the positive information together. I am happy with the job done here in Barcelona. We have been in the front group with the fastest riders, we have a good pace, and I feel comfortable on the bike. We are now more than ready to start the season in Le Mans!”

Hiraki Okubo

"It was a positive test overall for us despite a crash. We were able to understand much more about the new Ducati bike, and I improved a lot my feelings on the bike too. There are still a few things that we need to adjust, and personally I need to work on adapting my riding style. I think that we are ready to start the season, and I look forward to heading to Le Mans next month."

Hervé Poncharal

Team Manager

"It was an intense three-day testing in Montmelo for the Tech3 E-Racing team. Thankfully we were gifted with perfect track conditions which allowed riders and crew to really understand the characteristics and potential of the Ducati V21L, as the weather was bad in Jerez early March. It was really good to have the possibility to do normal practice sessions, including qualifying and race simulations. The technical crew was able to understand how to manage the bike ahead of the season, and the riders how to handle their rides on this new Ducati package. Overall, we are happy with the job done – we provided decent information to Ducati engineers and Michelin staff – and we are leaving Catalunya with a very positive feeling. We are ready for the opening race of the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship which will take place in Le Mans in a bit more than a month now. Finally, I would like to thank both Alessandro and Hikari and our technical staff for their great work over the last three days."