Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner (Photo: HRC)

Stoner got a useful insight into Lorenzo and Yamaha's impressively competitive 1000cc M1 after being overtaken by the Spaniard who rode brilliantly for his Qatar win.

Crucially Stoner observed an absence of chatter in the M1.

"Jorge didn't have quite the corner speed he had in the past (with the 800) but he had a little more acceleration. He was going in on the brakes a little harder, more like a 1000 than an 800," Stoner said.

"And he had a little less mid-turn speed and little more acceleration and no chatter! That is one thing I did notice about the Yamaha that it had no chatter."

Stoner also reckons the Yamaha is working in a similar manner to the Honda with Lorenzo using a similar style to himself and Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa.

"That is making it a lot easier for us to race. When we see similarities it is a lot easier to get closer in some points and overtake.

"I learnt that the acceleration point (of the M1) is very similar to the Honda.

"The fact we were up there for the race was very positive but I think we can take a little of data of what we saw from the Yamaha and try and fix some issues and then it will be great.

"We have a lot of work to do to make our bike better but even with a bike that wasn't perfect I was still in a position to win the first race and you should not be hugely afraid unless there is a massive gap.

"Then you'd be afraid for the championship. With the way the bikes are at the moment the Honda, Yamaha and Ducati, I don't think there are huge differences."
Honda says that fixing the chatter is the main priority with the RC213V. While continuing to fiddle with a range of set-up options Honda plans to try some chassis and suspension options at the post-race test at Estoril following next week's Portuguese GP.

Stoner believes that a revised training program and rehab sessions will relieve the arm pump and that he has no plans for surgery.

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