Repsol Honda riders Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso completed their final test of 2008 at Jerez today, both men continuing the useful progress they made yesterday despite limited track time.
Overnight rain forced the pair to make a late start, both riders waiting until lunchtime before considering the track dry enough to make riding worthwhile. Pedrosa improved on his impressive pace from yesterday, once again lapping comfortably inside his own lap record aboard a 2009 prototype RC212V. Dovizioso, riding only his second test sessions with the factory team, also upped his pace aboard his prototype 2009 RC212V.
MotoGP now begins its traditional winter break from testing, reconvening at Sepang, Malaysia, on February 5, 6 and 7 2009.
Dani Pedrosa, fastest lap: 1m 39.447s (lap 47 of 47 laps)
“After working with the engine yesterday, today we concentrated on the chassis. We worked to improve the behaviour of the machine during braking and in the turns. The only problem was the weather, which meant that we didn’t get so much time on the bike today. We had to wait for the track to dry, so we didn’t start until 2pm, and we finished at five. But we worked well and got the most out of those three hours. I found a good feeling with the bike this afternoon, so now we can sit down and analyse all the data we’ve gathered here in order to be ready for our next testing appointment at Sepang next year. I don’t have any special plans for the holiday season. During December I have some promotional events to do for some sponsors and then I will relax and enjoy some time with my family and friends.”
Andrea Dovizioso, fastest lap: 1m 40.966s (lap 31 of 46 laps)
“We didn’t have too much time to try too much today. Our target was to find the best riding position for my style. We made quite a few changes to the position and we understood many things. We didn’t really have time to make any other big changes. We are working to try and find a good setting for the Bridgestone tyres, but this isn’t so easy because the tyre construction is very different to what we’re used to. We saw last season with other riders who switched to Bridgestone that it takes a while to find the best setting. Anyway, I am happy because the 2009 prototype machine feels better than the 2008 bike in both engine and chassis. The engine is smoother and it is easier to feel the limit with this bike, which makes it easier to ride fast. I wasn’t so fast here but it is still early days and now we have many ideas to try at Sepang. Dani was very fast and that proves the bike has a great potential.”
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