Don’t expect to see any laps times revealed on Jonathan Rea’s first day of testing the Honda RCV212 in Sepang, as it’s HRC’s R&D Team who is running the three-day test, so we expect it to be more of a feedback test than actually trying to see if Rea can break lap times.
The Northern Irishman was able to complete 51 laps, despite still being in recovery mode, after his scaphoid and ligament surgery and a brief rain shower that halted testing for an hour.
The Ten Kate Honda WSBK rider adapting to carbon brakes, Bridgestone tires and the Sepang track where he’s never ridden before.
“Today I had great fun learning a MotoGP bike and the Sepang circuit is impressive! My body is still not 100% and this is a pity, but I had a very good day with the HRC test team.
I spent almost all my career on production derived bikes, I just rode a 125 GP a few years ago, and today I had a good feeling riding the Honda RCV212.
The bike feels very powerful, the engine revs higher than my CBR1000R and it is easy to change direction.
I’d like to thank HRC and Honda Europe for this opportunity.
I am looking forward for the next two days of testing.
”Testing will continue today and Thursday with Honda’s test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi (the same who subbed for injured Hiroshi Aoyama) and was Rea’s team mate in the Suzuka 8 Hours, also on track.
