Bautista completed 52 laps, finishing the first day of testing in Malaysia in fifth position with a best time of 2’01”240, while Scott Redding completed 48 laps, setting a time of 2’04”431.
Practice will resume tomorrow for the second of three days of testing scheduled at the Sepang International Circuit.
Alvaro Bautista (2'01"240 - 52 LAPS)
"It’s been a very positive first day of testing! It was nice to be back on a MotoGP bike after nearly three months of winter break: in the first laps I had to regain confidence with the bike, re-activate the mechanisms and find the right references, but to be honest it took me not too much, because I immediately found at ease with the new RC213V. Today I focused basically on regaining the right rythm, without working on bike set-up; however, tomorrow we will begin to work on the suspension together with Showa, which brought some new items, and also on the Nissin brakes, testing different kind of brakes to try to improve also the braking. Speaking about the new RC213V, I loved it: I think the package of chassis, engine and suspension is already very good, an excellent base on which to work ahead of the first race”.
Scott Redding (2'04"431 - 48 LAPS)
“This first day of testing was good, I was really happy to ride again at full strength, without physical problems, although it was hard for me to ride all day because of the weather conditions. The bike was working well, I like riding it, but we need to improve on the electronic and braking. Tomorrow we will focus on set-up, in order to make the bike turn better”.
Go&Fun Honda Gresini Press Release
