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Tests complete for top Honda team

Thursday, 1 April 2010 10:08 GMT
Tests complete for top Honda team
After the race weekend at Portimao the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team remained in Portugal to conduct some tests. Weather conditions were not ideal but the team still managed to get some valuable work done. Race one podium finisher Jonathan Rea worked on a new electronics package, while Max Neukirchner - still looking for a top result since his switch to Honda - worked on finding an ideal balance on his machine.


Said Rea of his testing experience, "With the rain in the morning we couldn't do much because the track was so wet. Even so, I went out and did a few laps, but testing a new electronics package in those conditions is pretty scary! After lunch the track dried, although there were still some streams running across parts, and I got to do about 25 laps. The electronics were really good, and I was easily able to match the lap times that I did in the race. I think we'll roll out the new package at Valencia, so I'm looking forward to that."


For Max, improvements were found, but he will be looking to practice at Valencia for the next round to make even more advances. "I was happy that we got a chance to make some improvements to the bike's chassis," said Neukirchner. "It's still not perfect for me, but it's now more stable on corner entry, which is where I was having some big problems during the weekend at Portimao. The balance is better now - I don't have to brake so early and it is a little easier to hold the line. I was able to improve on my best lap in the race and I hope that we can continue this progress when we get to Valencia next week."