Jonathan Rea impressed with MotoGP bike

The HRC MotoGP test team brought curtain down on the 2010 season on-track when they wrapped up the three-day test at Sepang Malaysia today. The test session was scheduled to end yesterday but was extended to include a three-hour session this morning due to time last to heavy rain yesterday afternoon.

The test team and HRC test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi were happy with the data gleaned while verifying information and technical data gathered at the last team test session, held at Valencia in early November.

The HRC test was also a happy experience for Ten Kate Honda World Superbike team rider Jonathan Rea. The Ulsterman was given the opportunity to test the RC212V as a reward for his WSB performances in 2010. Race completed the test alongside Akiyoshi running for 40 laps in fine sunny weather with temperatures close on 30 degrees for the morning session.

Rea said of his first MotoGP experience. "Riding the RC212V has been an unbelievable experience for me! A four days test is a dream that became true and I am really happy that HRC invited me here in Sepang. Yesterday the rain didn't allow us to be on track that much and we stayed one more day. Today I start feeling the bike is "my bike" and I had some good feeling riding it. I hope I have been able to give to the engineers some useful comment, even if my physical conditions were not the best because my wrist is still not 100%. Now I will have some rest for the End of the Year, and then I will be focused on my job of 2011 that is the World Superbike Championship. Thanks again to everybody in Honda for the great experience!".

While Rea returns to Europe and a well earned rest the HRC engineers will not be resting. The test team heads home to Japan with much valuable data to evaluate as they continue working at the development of the RC212V in time for the first MotoGP test session of the 2011 season. The test will also be held at the Sepang circuit on February 1 – 3.