Aoyama and Simoncelli start Sepang test with good results

In preparation for their debut seasons in the premier class next year, both Hiroshi Aoyama and Marco Simoncelli commenced a test scheduled for three days at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on Monday.

After making their test debuts in Valencia in November both took advantage of the opportunity given to rookie riders to experience a further outing on their bikes, while the remainder of the MotoGP field will next test in February; also at Sepang.

With a temperature of 32°C both Aoyama and Simoncelli commenced testing at 10am, on a track with little grip due to them being the only two present. Interwetten Honda MotoGP Team rider and 2009 250cc World Champion Aoyama rode a single RC212V machine, the same as was used by Gabor Talmacsi last season, while San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Simoncelli had two bikes which were available to Toni Elías in the 2009 season.

Aoyama rode a total of 68 laps with Simoncelli taking in 44, with the only technical difference from Valencia being Nissin brakes on Aoyama’s machine, as opposed to the Brembo brakes he used at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit last month.

The times registered by both were very close and commendable given the track conditions, with Aoyama’s best lap timed at 2’04.38 and Simoncelli’s at 2’04.48. The pair will continue testing on Tuesday, with the programme due to end on Wednesday.