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MOTOGP: Honda Leads Saturday at Jerez
Written by: SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com   
02/16/2008
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
 
Repsol Honda rider Nicky Hayden (Photo: Honda Pro Images) ยป More Photos

American Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda topped the times sheet at the end of day one of the three-day IRTA MotoGP test at Jerez today. In cool 18-degree temperatures and windy conditions Hayden, from Owensboro, Kentucky, put in an amazing 107 laps of the 4.423 km Spanish circuit. The 2006 MotoGP World Champion tested a variation of the latest RCV chassis which has a modified stiffness characteristic to the chassis he has run with in the previous two winter tests, while running with the 2008 version of the RC212V equipped with standard valve springs. Hayden also spent a large part of his day testing new tires for Michelin.

Hayden’s Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa returned to action at Jerez still nursing his hand injury sustained at the Sepang test in January. Today was about testing his physical condition and working his way back into action. The hand is quite tender and Pedrosa could manage no more than five consecutive laps before returning to the pits to ‘Ice’ his hand in a bid to reduce the swelling.

The HRC satellite teams arrived on track at Jerez with their RC212V Hondas in complete 2008 technical specification. Until today the teams had been equipped with 2008 chassis’ powered by engines in 2007 spec. The new engine has delivered the promised improvements in every area. Better acceleration, improved mid-range power with a smoother delivery and an increase in top power has impressed the riders ad is reflected
in the lap times they set today.

Randy De Puniet took his LCR RC212V Honda to second fastest time. The Frenchman has been consistently fast all through winter testing and ran close to the top of the order all day today. De Puniet found the new engine more tractable than the old plot a great improvement as the team had struggled to find optimum rear end traction during the November 2007 test at Jerez. With the new engine and a solid base line set up for the rolling chassis De Puniet tested a variety of tires for team supplier Michelin, again with positive results.

San Carlo Gresini Honda riders Alex De Angelis and Shinya Nakano gave positive feedback about the latest engine developments the two men ending the day in sixth and seventh places respectively separated by a mere three-tenths of a second. Both men worked on finding a base set up for their RC212V’s then spent a large part of the day working with Bridgestone to evaluate a series of race and qualifying tires brought to the track by the Japanese manufacturer, with very positive results.

Andrea Dovizioso, JiR Scot Honda RC212V, spent his day on general machine set up and tire testing ending the day in very buoyant mood, impressed by the step forward the machine has made. The young Italian is not a great fan of the Jerez circuit but the new RCV has given Dovizioso a fun day at Jerez for the first time and he ended day one more than satisfied with his performance.
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