Test 250

Fonsi Nieto and Sebastián Porto finish their tests at Catalunya circuit
Plans altered by the rain today. Both riders satisfied with the results
The Repsol riders of the 250cc class finished their test programme at the Catalunya circuit today. Yesterday they were able to test under the sunshine but todays session was stopped two hours earlier due to rain. Sebastián Porto set the second fastest time yesterday behind French rider Randy De Puniet who clocked 1´47.154. His team-mate Fonsi Nieto was sixth, one second and six tenths behind the top time.  After the second test day, the times were not significantly different to those set the day before. De Puniet was fastest again with 1´47.096, followed by Toni Elías and Repsol rider Sebastián Porto. Fonsi was not able to improve the time set the day before due to a mechanical problem in his second bike; the one he had been working on today. The team will travel to Mugello on Wednesday 31st to make the last official test before the start of the season. Both Fonsi and Sebastián are optimistic and looking forward to this season, as serious candidates for the class title in the world championship.Sebastián Porto Wednesday: 1´47.422. 38 laps Thursday: 1´47.526. 49 laps Weve had two intense working days here in Barcelona. Although weve made a great preseason, it had been almost a month since I had been on the bike. It was difficult to get the rhythm at the beginning but it didnt take long to get back the necessary feeling to be fast. We received the second bike last week and worked on it here to be able to use both bikes. The truth is that Im satisfied with the results of this test; not only because of the times set but also because Ive been able to see that my bikes potential is similar to that of my rivals bikes. Time is running out for the start of the season, we only have one more test in Italy and then well already be travelling to Welkom. Fonsi Nieto Wednesday: 1´48.821. 56 laps Thursday: 1´49.096, 57 laps I got my second bike and Ive been lapping with it this day and a half in Barcelona to leave it under the same conditions as bike number one. Were still working with the Aprilia technicians to look for suspension settings that will make me feel comfortable on the bike allowing me to ride as many laps as possible at a constant and fast pace. Weve been working on the latest evolution of the Aprilia chassis and weve achieved a good base to work on. The moment we had everything ready to give it all it began to rain and we finished the test two hours earlier than planned. Weve also been able to see that this year things are not going to be easy at all. There are a lot of factory bikes on the track and the level of the riders and bikes is really high, but Im ready to fight hard from the first to the last race.