Rookies MotoGP 2011: Toni Elías returns home after his success in Moto2

Rider Toni Elías has had three very tough days of MotoGP Testing in Sepang, as he has been the only Honda that has not performed at a high level, although of course no one has taken into account that the Catalan is the only rider of that brand who is not a factory rider.

Let’s remember that apart from the three Repsol Honda riders, we have Marco Simoncelli as a factory rider and Hiroshi Aoyama, who is also a factory rider, although supposedly he would have a satellite Honda, but in the test he clearly rode a factory bike, so the only one who rides a satellite bike is Elías.

Furthermore, with this status he will be last in line for Honda, the last to receive upgrades, parts, developments, so it is going to be difficult to see him at the front of the grid and in races, although I hope I am wrong or at least that it is only for a few races while he gets the feel of his bike.

Without a doubt that detail matters a lot when it comes to the machine, and it has been fairly well demonstrated by the results of the Moto2 World Champion at the Malaysian track, although it is not only that, as he also needs a period to readapt to the premier class.

And as if that were not enough, apparently the Catalan has not been feeling very well during the test, having to take antibiotics in order to continue with the pre-season training.

Below you can see Elías’s statements:

It has been three difficult days for me. I arrived in Malaysia a week early to acclimatise to the heat and the schedule, but three days ago I started to feel unwell.

I have had to take antibiotics for the three days and that has prevented me from being at my best, and this bike requires perfect physical fitness. Despite feeling unwell, we have worked testing different setups and parts to find the optimal set-up.

We still have a lot of work ahead of us because it is going to be difficult to find the right compromise that allows me to ride the way I want. It is part of the process of adapting to the bike; in 2009 I did a 2:01 at this same track, so I am optimistic and I know we will find the right direction to do better.

For me Toni Elías is not one of the favourites for the title; for me he is like a novice, a rookie, he has to readapt again to the class, get the feel of MotoGP and show his potential little by little without getting nervous. Perhaps in the second part of the championship he can have good races, but it will also depend a lot on how that Honda works.

What I am clear about is that he will fight for Rookie of the Year with Crutchlow and Abraham, although I am not sure whether Elías qualifies for this award or, since he has only been out of the championship for one season, he is not considered a rookie. I am not very clear on that, but he will surely fight at his maximum, as the Catalan always does.

And what do you think?

We will keep an eye on Toni Elías.

Photo | Motocuatro