Day 1 of the MotoGP Test at the Cheste circuit

The first day of the MotoGP World Championship test at the Cheste circuit has left Dani Pedrosa as the fastest rider on this first day with the 1000cc bikes. The Catalan flew on his new Honda RC213V and set a time of 1:32.186 after more than 40 laps of the Valencian track.

It has been a very positive day for Repsol Honda, as both of its riders were the best, with the 26 in first place. He was followed closely by his teammate and 2011 world champion, Casey Stoner, who finished 0.136s behind, and the top three was completed by Ben Spies, who completed more than 70 laps of the Valencian track. Without a doubt, the American had to work for two riders, since Jorge Lorenzo was ultimately unable to get out on track.

Behind them came Randy de Puniet on the Suzuki, but more than one second back, followed by Cal Crutchlow almost a second and a half off the leader, and then Valentino Rossi in sixth, more than 1.5s behind Pedrosa. The top 10 was closed by Héctor Barberá almost 2 seconds back, Stefan Bradl on the LCR Honda more than 2 seconds back, and Karel Abraham 10th.

Further back we had Battaini, who worked with the Ducati, Akiyoshi, who also helped Stoner and Pedrosa with the Honda, and finally the first CRT, the BQR Inmotec, which finished almost 5 seconds off the time set today by Pedrosa at Cheste.

The CRTs were well off the pace, but they will surely improve. Behind Silva, Morales was 14th on the Suter of Team Laglisse, while the Team Grillini riders, Nannelli and Sandi, closed the standings for this first test day.

Good feelings for Honda, not bad for Yamaha and Ducati, who were working well. As for the CRTs, they will have to work, but little by little. Besides, 2012 will be a year of adaptation, and their maximum development is expected by 2013, so no pressure.

The most curious things regarding transfers: Bradl went out on track on the LCR Honda fully customised in its colours and number. To me, the Moto2 world champion will be in MotoGP on that machine. Then there was the surprise of seeing De Puniet on the Suzuki, which would fit with Bradl’s signing for LCR, so the Frenchman would now have the blue bullet, since Bautista is very, very close to Honda Gresini, everything pending the signature and official confirmation.

More and better tomorrow.

Photo | Telecinco