Jimenez: `De Angelis´ bike will be much better in 2009´

Alex de Angelis´ new Crew Chief for 2009, Antonio Jimenez is not just expecting an improvement from the San Marino rider. With an early start to the development of the satellite Honda RC212V (run by Shinya Nakano for the latter part of 2008) the Spaniard is also confident of a more competitive machine for his charge´s sophomore season in MotoGP.

`The bike will be much better in 2009 than what Alex used this year. Honda are making a very competitive bike for us to use. I think that the package of good rider, good bike and good team will make it easier for him to be consistent,´ says Jimenez, who worked closely with the initial development of the satellite bike over the last season as part of Nakano´s side of the San Carlo Honda Gresini garage.

`The specification for the machine for the next few tests will be the same as here; the machine that Nakano used for the last race, one that is already good. For me that package will be very competitive.´

The spring valve engine version of the 800cc Honda may be looking in good shape, but there will still be plenty for De Angelis and his crew to get their heads round when testing resumes on February 5th, 2009 in Sepang. With less testing time than in previous years, A rapid adaptation will be necessary in order to get the upcoming campaign off to a solid start.

`We have a lot of work to do, and with six days less than we have had in the past. We will have to focus on the most important things, and try to make Alex as comfortable with the bike as possible, as quickly as possible.´