Dry track time gives Nakano cause for confidence with RC212V

Whilst Honda factory rider Dani Pedrosa felt no improvement was possible in post-race testing –owing to his lack of confidence in the Michelin tyres used by the Repsol Honda squad- Shinya Nakano was able to make strides with the Bridgestone-shod factory spec RC212V on Monday at Brno. The Japanese rider had some welcome dry time in which to set up the machine on which he will complete the 2008 season, and was content at the halfway point of the test.

I´m happy with how the test went today because I improved my lap times from yesterday´s race,´ said Nakano, who clocked a fastest lap of 1´57.562.

`We worked mainly on the setting today with the objective of finding the right balance for the bike. Over the weekend we only really had two hours to get to know the bike, so this morning we tried a few different solutions with the rear and, once we were happy with the base setting, we tested a few tyres and decided which was the best way to go.

`From here onwards I think we can give Bridgestone the right information to develop tyres for this bike. Tomorrow we have another day to test, gather data and hopefully make some more improvements.´

Nakano was once again using the standard valve version of the RC212V, a prototype that the 2009 satellite teams - including his current San Carlo Honda Gresini outfit - will be using next season.