The Repsol Honda factory team pairing of Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa ran two different versions of the RC212V in Qatar, with the 2007 model of the 800cc machine brought to Losail in addition to the latest prototype for this season. Now at the 2nd race of the season, the two packages available to the riders once again contrasts, as HRD Public Relations mgr. Iain MacKay explained ahead of the first practice.
"Nicky will run two different variations of the machine this weekend. One is that which he rode at the MotoGP Official Test here, where he had the fastest time, and the other is the same chassis used by Dani in Qatar but set up for his riding style".
"Dani will be suing the same bike as at Losail, with two machines of the same spec available to him".
The current engine running the Honda prototype is the conventional spring valve system used in 2007, with the pnematic vavle version trialed in preseason going back to the drawing board for further tweaks and modifications. MacKay has little information from Japan, aside from some tenative plans for further testing.
"The plan for the pneumatic valve engine is to test it on the Monday after Estoril. That is the intention. It has a lot of power but it delivers it very abruptly [sounds like a two stroke] and they are trying to smooth out the delivery. That takes major """""redesign"""" in a lot of ways".
Geeeeeezzzzaaaz........... After that it's going to be the Nicky & Dani show. May the best man win.
