Inaugural MotoE champion Matteo Fe𓆉rrari began 2020 as he had finished 2019, at the head of the electric-bike field during their opening test of the year, at Jerez la🍰st week.

The Trentino Gresini rider had been outpaced by Eric Granado on the opening two days, but set the fastest lap of the test courtesy of a 1m 47.494s on the final day, edgingꦍ under the Brazilian's best by just 0.052s.

The MotoE riders had new Michelin tyres, Öhlins forks and improved airflow cooling for the batteries on their Energica Ego Corsa machines in Spꦓain.

“It was a good test," said Ferrari, who completed around 50 laps across the three days. "We made a big step for🐷ward set-up wise and there are still some changes to make to understand if the direction we’re taking is the right one – and there’s no better situation to do so than during testing.

"It wasn’t ea🐭sy, especially as we did not have the telemetry engineer with us since day two. We made an effort to fill his absence: from my side to make mysel🦹f clear and from the team to make the changes we needed.

"I set some good lap times, which came qui൩ℱte naturally, so this surely is a good sign.”

For rookie team-mate Alessandro Zaccone, Jerez was his debut MotoE outﷺing. The Italian was 13th quickest with a 1m 48.744s.

“It was my first outing with MotoE and it was hওelpful to understand the bi🐈ke a bit," he said.

"You feel the weight quite a lot and the bike has to be ridden in a smoother way than a Moto2 one. You need to let it ride quite a lot on 🥀corner entry – which is opposite to Moto2 – and braking is a lot less𝓰.

"In general, ever♕ything is very different to what I’m used to. Having said that, we improved session after session, aside from a battery issue which didn’t allow us to make the most of FP🐬3 yesterday.

"We’re working on it; there’s great enthusiasm and I must say t🥂hat I’m happy at the end of these three days.”

A dღay after the MotoE test ended, the Jerezꦡ Circuit announced that 'following the recommendations of the health authorities regarding containment measures for the spread of the coronavirus, our facilities will cease all activities for the next 15 days. This deadline may be revised or increased if needed'.

The next and final pre-season MotoE test is scheduled for Jꦯerez from April 8-10, depending on the coronavirus restrictions, which will also determine if the MotoE seaso🐻n-opener goes ahead as planned during the Spanish MotoGP weekend on May 1-3.