The Repsol Honda Team concludes the three testing days in Sepang with very positive results. The three Repsol riders finished in the top five in the three days’ overall results. Dani Pedrosa ended in third second position, just 13 thousandths behind an astonishing Simoncelli, who was the fastest of the test. Casey Stoner finished third, at 54 thousandths from the Italian, and Andrea Dovizioso was fifth, 188 thousandths behind Simoncelli.
Nothing spoiled the excellent work of the Repsol Honda Team riders in this three testing days, not even the minor crash that the Australian rider Stoner suffered this morning in corner 12 when he was comparing the two chassis available in Sepang. Casey lost control of the front of his RC212V when he stepped on the white line of the Malaysian track. In the afternoon, he kept testing new traction control settings to improve his corner speed and, in the end, he focused on testing some Bridgestone compounds.
Andrea Dovizioso continued with the chassis and chassis geometry tests he started yesterday, always with the 2011 bike. But he focused in testing different clutch settings, as it is the part where the Italian rider thinks the RC212V 2011 should improve the most. The Italian leaves Sepang very satisfied with the Honda performance and he even admitted being surprised by the level of competitiveness shown in this first tests.
The one that leaves Sepang circuit most pleased is the Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa, who after the many difficulties suffered during the last pre-seasons, this time was able to complete the three testing days with a competitive bike with which he feels completely at home. His main concern when arriving in Sepang –his left arm and shoulder conditions- soon disappeared, as he realized immediately that, although he will need some more physical training to recover the strength, his feeling had improved considerably compared with last year. Today, he finished 12 consecutive laps to check how his shoulder would react and the test was undoubtedly satisfactory.
The three Repsol Honda Team riders will return to Sepang in a fortnight –from February 22 to 24-, for another three days of tests.
Dani Pedrosa >> Audio >> Audio (cat)
“I am very very happy about how the test went in general. The best news we could have is that recovery of the arm has been effective and cramps have disappeared and the lack of power which had me so worried. This afternoon we did a long run of 12 laps and we have done well. As for the work on the bike, I am also satisfied. We tried many things, step by step, and we leave Malaysia with clear ideas regarding suspensions and some more thing to confirm about chassis and engine when we come back here. I have concentrated more on the 2010 machine and the second test we will have more time to test this year’s bike. Ohlins also will bring some new parts that can still improve the package. For me the most important step we have given is in terms of stability on braking, which was one of the things we wanted”.
Andrea Dovizioso >> Audio
“This morning we tried a different bike set up and we improved in the middle of the corner. We worked on some electronics, in particular on the traction control and we found some good solutions. We also tested a different set up of the clutch, but unfortunately the feedback was not as we expected. This morning the track conditions were very good, so I used the soft tyre and I could lap in 2.00. It was the first time that I set 2.00 on this track so I’m very happy. I’m satisfied about the work done by HRC, myself and the team during these three days of testing. We start from a very good package. All Hondas are very competitive with many strong riders. We are aware that what we have done is not enough and that we need to continue working. I’m happy also of the training programme done during the winter because physically I managed this first test of the year well”.
Casey Stoner >> Audio
“Today was definitely the best day, despite the crash. In general we made some nice steps forwards, alternating between the different chassis, trying to get a good feeling for them. We managed to make the bike work a lot better with used tyres and a different traction control system that catches the tyres a little quicker when they start to spin – which assisted with our corner speed. I’m really pleased with what I’ve found in this test, in fact it’s a little better than what I expected. I’m happy with the overall package, just to be able to focus with such a good base set-up has been really important for us”.
