A new 1000cc MotoGP bike using a British-built FTR chassis and a tuned Honda CBR1000RR engine will be ready for shakedown testing in February.
But the bike that is being raced by Fausto Gresini’s squad in 2012 is unlikely to be on track for the first major winter test session at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia on January 31.
FTR recently signed a deal with Gresini’s Italian-based squad to supply the chassis for its new 1000cc project (CRT) and Valencia Moto2 winner Michele Pirro will ride the bike next season.
FTR boss Steve Bones told MCN: “I would think the bike will be on track in February but where will be a decision left to the team. We will push on and get the bike done as soon as we can but there are still a few items that need to be resolved in terms of the engine supplier that need to come together. We are beavering away on the layout of the bike but it won’t be ready for the first Sepang test in February. I’m pleased that we have got arguably one of the best teams on the grid to work with and I think it will be a very good set-up.”
The Gresini team will also field Spanish rider Alvaro Bautista on a prototype Honda RC213V machine.
source: MCN
