The World Champion made his first tests in wet conditions with the new Honda RC212V
MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden today ended this weeks MotoGP test at Sepang as the fastest Honda rider over the three-day session. The hard-working American completed 87 laps as the Repsol Honda Team continued development of the RC212V, the new 800cc Honda machine that will display the Number 1 plate for the 2007 season.
Hayden tested various chassis and suspension parts and settings today during 70 dry laps, starting with different front and rear suspension adjustments and with the steering head raised slightly. The front suspension changes were of no distinct advantage but the 25-year-old from Kentucky felt happier with the rear end feel.
Once comfortable with these base settings Hayden began testing for Michelin, evaluating new tyres designed specifically for the 800cc machine, which is easier on tyres than its 990cc predecessor. He tried a selection of front and rear tyres, giving the Michelin technicians valuable feedback to aid their development work. When the predicted rain arrived late in the afternoon, Hayden was able to get his first taste of the RC212V in wet conditions, completing 17 further laps.
The Repsol Honda Team will now prepare for the final MotoGP test of 2006 which takes place at Jerez in Spain, beginning on November 28. Hayden will once again be joined by his team-mate, 21-year-old Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, before the MotoGP winter test ban takes effect from 1 December until January 20.
Nicky Hayden
Best lap time: 2m 03.30s 70 dry laps, 17 wet laps
‘We learned a lot about the bike at this test and I’m beginning to understand it better. We went through a lot of stuff here and today I tried some suspension changes and improved the rear which made it a little better than yesterday – we have good traction now. We also raised the front end a bit but that didn’t give me what I needed it to so we went back to the original setting. We definitely need to find more power and speed to stay in touch with our rivals but I’m confident that Honda and the guys in my team will find that before I test the bike again. In the afternoon we concentrated on testing tyres for Michelin all sorts of stuff, different constructions and compounds, and found a front I like. When the rain came I went out on wet tyres and it was productive because Michelin gave me a front tyre that worked well in the wet. The strong point is definitely my team they are so positive, I mean everybody is working so hard.’
