Despite rain at the beginning and the end of the day at the Sepang International Circuit, the Repsol Honda Team were able to make use of some valuable track time today and satisfactorily wrap-up the first two-day MotoGP test of 2010. Dani Pedrosa improved his time from yesterday by more than a second and finished the day in fourth place overall – a respectable performance as he gets to grips with the 2010 Honda RC212V on Ohlins suspension. The Spaniard also took advantage of the rain in the morning to get his first taste of the new machine and enhanced electronic package on a wet track.
His Repsol Honda team-mate Andrea Dovizioso also made advances today, joining Pedrosa on the damp track at the outset, before winding up the pace as things dried out. The Italian shaved 0.4s off his time from yesterday as he and his crew continued the detailed testing programme designed to dial in the settings for this year’s factory machine. Dovizioso focused on suspension set-up predominantly, reporting that the electronics have improved many areas of the RC212V’s dynamic performance.
The first race of the 2010 season takes place under the floodlights of the Losail circuit, Qatar, on Sunday 11 April, 2010. But before that, the Repsol Honda Team will complete another two days at Sepang on 25-26 February, and a final pre-season test in Qatar starting on 18 March.
Dani Pedrosa, 2:01.822 secs. 50 laps
“We got through a lot more testing today and I can say that we improved significantly – and that’s important in terms of finding a good direction to follow. We were working mainly on the rear suspension and we’ve managed to collect a lot of data that should help us for the next test here in two weeks’ time. We were also testing swingarms and at the end of the day I could feel the improvements, and so I’m happy about that. Yesterday it took me longer to get into a rhythm on the machine because it was the first day back in the saddle, but today it was much better – though I’m not at 100 per cent yet. To have the second test here in just two weeks time is really good for us. I haven’t asked for new parts because me and the team think it’s better to analyse what we’ve found here and focus on that. I’m going home satisfied”.
Andrea Dovizioso, 2:02.272 secs. 52 laps
“I leave Sepang feeling positive and I’m confident for the next test because we have clear ideas about the direction we have to follow. Today we worked on the suspension and tested some set-up options – with positive results. I’m happy because, thanks to the electronics, the package has improved in all aspects – but there is still a job to do. In particular we need to take another step forward regarding the balance. I’m confident that we can work on this at next test session here in Sepang. Today we were always running on hard tyres and we didn’t look for ultimate lap times. I think the next Sepang test will be more indicative about our true pace”.
