The Speed Master garage wrapped up the private test in Jerez satisfied with the progress made over the course of three days. From Monday to Wednesday, the Italian team carried out their work program in preparation for the 2012 MotoGP™ season.
Three days of private testing in Jerez gave Mattia Pasini a second occasion to work on the Speed Master team's new ART bike, the machine on which the Italian will make his debut in the premier class. After his first ride on the bike in late January at Valencia, Pasini focused on eliminating the minor problems present in the new prototype, then moved on to work on adapting and evolve his riding style to fit the bike.
"Today was kind of unusual because we had to try to solve all the little things that come with a new bike. This one is the final version of the bike that we are going to use this year," declared Pasini on Monday after his first day on the tarmac. "No doubt I'll have to work on understanding how to get the most out of it, and how to adapt my style to one that a MotoGP bike requires," said Pasini, whose best time on that first day was a 1’43.3 after 43 laps.
The real work, however, began on Tuesday when Pasini and his crew tackled the bike’s electronics, which the rider from Rimini considers most crucial. "We got some good work done here and I improved from yesterday. I'm happy because I’m gradually understanding this new category and the riding style it requires, and, above all, I am getting to know the electronics, which are key in a bike like this. They are what will allow you to make a difference."
Pasini is looking forward to the last test of the preseason, which is scheduled to take place in one month’s time at the same track in Southern Spain just two weeks before the first race of the year in Qatar. At this Official Test, he and the other CRTs will share the track with all the premier class riders.
"If we compare our times to Abraham and Barberá, we're not that far off, but I’m convinced that at this point they haven’t ridden to their maximum. We’ll have to wait until we are all together and running with all the others to see where we are. Anyway I think it’s pointless to kid ourselves right now: Our objective for now is to compete against the other CRTs. What happens after that, we’ll tackle step by step. In any case, I'm very pleased with how Jerez has gone."
source: MotoGP Official
