Honda did not give up its plan to do its first tests of the year in Jerez and this perseverance ended up paying off. While the rain had ruined any initiative last week and again in recent days, the clearing finally appeared and the CBR triple R were able to run... Alone. Bautista is happy, Haslam satisfied and the new team manager Leon Camier can believe that heaven has sent him a positive message...
It was anything but obvious given the capricious skies experienced in recent days, but Alvaro Bautista et Leon Haslam were finally able to ride their Honda CBR1000RR-R on the circuit of Jerez Angel Nieto. After the test scheduled for last week at the same circuit was canceled due to bad weather, it is a relief that Kawasaki, who had thrown in the towel, will have failed.
« We didn't have much luck with the weather, either it was raining or the track was wet, but ultimately, we were able to make the most of half a day, trying out new elements that HRC brought for the new season " Explain Alvaro Bautista, satisfied with the time spent on the asphalt.
« We were able to collect some interesting data and take some references, and at least give the technicians the necessary guidance to continue their development work. So considering this, it was an important and very positive test, although brief. We now know which direction to take to take the next steps in the next tests “, explains the Spaniard.
Honda had the necessary information to prepare for the season
« The weather has been pretty crazy, but I honestly think this test was very important because we needed it to evaluate a lot of things for HRC », recognizes the Briton Leon Haslam. " Although we only had half a day at the end, we were able to do a few laps and give the engineers and team the information they needed so they could continue their work to prepare for the next tests ».
« It was really good to be back on my CBR, the feeling was good and the new components we tested were very interesting, so now I have even more motivation before my workout in the next few weeks. I hope we can try again soon to be ready for the start of the season », he concludes. It will be recalled that the start of the season WSBK is scheduled for the weekend of April 23 to 25 at the TT Circuit Assen.
