GixerGaz
25-01-2007, 14:40
http://www.gixerjunkies.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7032&stc=1&d=1169732446
Having sunk to eighth on day two of the Sepang test, new MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden regained one position on Wednesday's final day - but admitted that he and Honda hadn't 'set the world on fire' during the first test of 2007.
Proudly displaying his new #1 plate, the Repsol Honda rider recorded a best lap time of 2mins 1.884secs towards the end of the final day on a qualifying tyre - leaving him almost one second slower than fastest man Valentino Rossi.
Earlier, the 25-year-old American had at least improved his pace on race tyres to 2mins 2.700secs as he and his crew continued to analyse chassis, suspension and tyre options for the RC212V, including sampling Michelin's new 16-inch tyre.
"We definitely learned a lot about the bike at this test and got some valuable information for my crew chief Pete Benson and the boys to work with. And myself, I felt like I rode the 800 better than I did here in November. It would have been nice to have been closer to the front and I know we didn't set the world on fire, but we've definitely got some positive stuff to take away," insisted Nicky. "We found some Showa forks I liked and some good settings, plus we tried the new 16-inch Michelin front which felt good."
Hayden then explained that his main problem seems to be a lack of top speed - either caused by an absence of engine performance or too much drag.
"On the straight I feel like I'm a little bit out in the wind and that's where I'm losing time - towards the end of the straight. I don't know if it's partly engine performance and partly aerodynamics," he said. "It's definitely good that we're going to Phillip Island because we can check the things we tested here at a completely different track next week."
Speaking separately, Honda LCR's Carlos Checa shed more light on the issue by declaring that the RC212V is the smallest of the new generation 800cc machines - and has particularly sensitive aerodynamics.
"The RC212V is the smallest bike of this class and I have had to adapt my body to improve the aerodynamics," said the Spaniard. "Thus, over winter I lost three kilograms and I will probably receive a new seat and a new, much higher, fairing for the next tests in Australia."
But one Honda rider with no need to lose weight is Hayden's Repsol team-mate Dani Pedrosa, who tips the scales at just 51kg. The Spaniard put in a best lap of 2mins 1.664secs - for fourth overall and top Honda - with a Michelin qualifier, after notching up a 2min 2.660secs lap on race tyres.
"Today we were able to take some steps with the bike and the feeling is a little better - so that's positive. We also confirmed some of the areas where we have to improve which is also good to know," said Dani. "We've tested some tyres for Michelin including the new 16-inch tyres - yesterday the front and today the rear. It's still early and difficult to have a definite answer about these tyres, but the feeling was good so maybe it's the future. I was fastest at the last test in Jerez but this is another track, the temperature is higher and there are many differences riding here, so we will analyse the data and work how to improve further at Phillip Island. This is normal for testing."
Having sunk to eighth on day two of the Sepang test, new MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden regained one position on Wednesday's final day - but admitted that he and Honda hadn't 'set the world on fire' during the first test of 2007.
Proudly displaying his new #1 plate, the Repsol Honda rider recorded a best lap time of 2mins 1.884secs towards the end of the final day on a qualifying tyre - leaving him almost one second slower than fastest man Valentino Rossi.
Earlier, the 25-year-old American had at least improved his pace on race tyres to 2mins 2.700secs as he and his crew continued to analyse chassis, suspension and tyre options for the RC212V, including sampling Michelin's new 16-inch tyre.
"We definitely learned a lot about the bike at this test and got some valuable information for my crew chief Pete Benson and the boys to work with. And myself, I felt like I rode the 800 better than I did here in November. It would have been nice to have been closer to the front and I know we didn't set the world on fire, but we've definitely got some positive stuff to take away," insisted Nicky. "We found some Showa forks I liked and some good settings, plus we tried the new 16-inch Michelin front which felt good."
Hayden then explained that his main problem seems to be a lack of top speed - either caused by an absence of engine performance or too much drag.
"On the straight I feel like I'm a little bit out in the wind and that's where I'm losing time - towards the end of the straight. I don't know if it's partly engine performance and partly aerodynamics," he said. "It's definitely good that we're going to Phillip Island because we can check the things we tested here at a completely different track next week."
Speaking separately, Honda LCR's Carlos Checa shed more light on the issue by declaring that the RC212V is the smallest of the new generation 800cc machines - and has particularly sensitive aerodynamics.
"The RC212V is the smallest bike of this class and I have had to adapt my body to improve the aerodynamics," said the Spaniard. "Thus, over winter I lost three kilograms and I will probably receive a new seat and a new, much higher, fairing for the next tests in Australia."
But one Honda rider with no need to lose weight is Hayden's Repsol team-mate Dani Pedrosa, who tips the scales at just 51kg. The Spaniard put in a best lap of 2mins 1.664secs - for fourth overall and top Honda - with a Michelin qualifier, after notching up a 2min 2.660secs lap on race tyres.
"Today we were able to take some steps with the bike and the feeling is a little better - so that's positive. We also confirmed some of the areas where we have to improve which is also good to know," said Dani. "We've tested some tyres for Michelin including the new 16-inch tyres - yesterday the front and today the rear. It's still early and difficult to have a definite answer about these tyres, but the feeling was good so maybe it's the future. I was fastest at the last test in Jerez but this is another track, the temperature is higher and there are many differences riding here, so we will analyse the data and work how to improve further at Phillip Island. This is normal for testing."