Factory and satellite Hondas, along with factory Yamahas, completed a two-day test at the Motorland Aragon circuit earlier today. Quickest over the two days was Dani Pedrosa (Honda), although Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) set the fastest lap on Day 2. Interestingly, WSB rider Jonathan Rea, filling in for the injured Casey Stoner, has been steadily improving on the factory Honda. He ended the test roughly two seconds off the pace set by Pedrosa and Lorenzo.
Casey Stoner underwent successful surgery on his ankle, and is resting at home in Australia. At this point, although he is recovering well, it is expected that he will miss at least the next two races at Misano and Aragon, where Rea will replace him.
Elsewhere, CRT teams and riders continued to work on electronics, where they arguably trail the factory teams by the widest margin. Despite recent protestations by Colin Edwards and his test of an Aprilia-powered machine, it appears he will likely remain aboard a BMW-powered CRT for the remainder of the 2012 series.
re: “Elsewhere, CRT teams and riders continued to work on electronics, where they arguably trail the factory teams by the widest margin.”
even CRT’s were given SUPERIOR electronics they would still trail the factories. it’s a HARDWARE issue that costs even more than the software that everybody has this ridiculous preoccupation with. production mills (found in bikes averaging $15k for the works) is not a match, and will NEVER be a match for a prototype mill on equal displacement. i cram to understand how anyone professing to being a student of this sport would ever think that…? it’s absurd. i’ve never seen a superbike with cases hewn from billet or pneumatic valves…? never seen it.
Even with a production based engine there is a ton of power available. The chassis and electronics are the limitations to its use. I read somewhere that the CRT engines are actually tuned to a lower level then WSBK engines to increase their longevity and lower costs. It’s everything but the tires holding them back.
CRT’s never had a chance against developed factory machinery. It will be interesting to see what they change next to fix this series.
2 seconds a lap may not sound like much, but in the last GP race that would put Rea in 8th place. Hopefully he can continue to tighten up that gap.
8th place on an unfamiliar bike with only weeks of practice would be AMAZING!!!