Hiroshi Aoyama is in Qatar for the third and final test on his privateer Interwetten Honda RC212V ahead of the first MotoGP race, also at the Losail circuit, in three weeks’ time
The Japanese rider has admitted that he is still getting to grips, quite literally, with the electronic cornering and traction control absent from the Honda bike that took him to last year’s 250cc title, despite posting an impressive ninth-fastest in the last Sepang test.
'I have to understand where and how I need the control' – Hiroshi Aoyama
“Electronics can help me a lot, but sometimes I don’t like it because it feels a little bit strange,” Hiro told MCN. "I have a feeling that I can make the turn easier with the tyre sliding, but I can’t with traction control because it tries to give me more grip. Then you have to modify the lines.
"But on the other hand, going into the corner, I need a little bit of help because the engine has a lot of engine braking and sometimes it is difficult to control everything by myself.
GEPA Pictures/Gold & Goose
"I think understanding electronics is one of the biggest and most key points and I have to understand where and how I need the control.”
Mika Kallio, meanwhile, will be testing the Pramac Ducati again at Losail, hoping to improve the pace of the Desmosedici GP10 after the last test in Malaysia.
“I feel very good with the new bike,” the Finnish rider (pictured, left) commented, “but perhaps I have yet to find total confidence to push to the maximum. We cannot make any more mistakes…”
Keep up with all the test action from Qatar, beginning tomorrow, at motogp.com
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