Talmacsi continues to settle in with new Balatonring 250cc team

Two days of testing in Valencia earlier this week gave Gabor Talmacsi further experience of the Aprilia RSA with which he will debut in the 250cc class in 2009. The former 125cc World Champion is one of the newest additions to a highly competitive category, and has at his disposal factory machinery provided for his new Balatonring team. The outfit is an offshoot of the successful Aspar team with which the 27 year-old has competed for the past two seasons.

Whilst Monday saw Talmacsi continue to get settled in with his new mechanics and bike, adjusting the seating position and basic configurations rather than finding a concrete setup, on Tuesday the Hungarian recorded his best time of the test when focusing on engine response in cornering. His 1´38.1 lap was put down at around midday, leaving him delighted.

`I´m really happy with the result of this test because I think we have improved a lot since the last time we rode the 250cc bike here. I have a better feel for the bike now and that´s important for me to go into the winter break with a clear mind. We´re not ready yet but we know the direction we need to work in,´ says Talmacsi.

`We still have a lot of different settings to try, but I´m not worried because we have a plan of what areas of the bike to work on. If the track conditions were better the lap times would have been faster, but that is not something for us to worry about at the moment. I have learnt a lot over these two days. We have found positive and negative things during the test but the important thing is it was very useful for us to plan the preseason.´

Talmacsi will use 28 as his racing number for next season, having relinquished the number 1 that he used in 2008. Thai rider Ratthapark Wilairot holds the number 14 previously used by the Hungarian.