Among those lucky enough to be given the chance to test a
MotoGP machine after the season-ending Valencian Grand Prix was 2006 Dakar rally winner Marc Coma.
The two-wheeled off road ace, backed by Repsol, was handed
Dani Pedrosa's factory RC211V shortly after three o'clock on Monday afternoon for five laps of the twisty and technical circuit.
Before he left the pits, Coma was given advice from rookie of the year Pedrosa especially regarding the carbon brakes - totally alien to the rally rider.
"It's been impressive, especially considering that my experience on a road racing track was null. I had never made a lap on a road racing circuit with a motorbike before," said Coma. "I want to thank Dani for the advice he gave me, because all of what he said helped me a lot. He explained the feeling of the carbon brakes, the acceleration and how the gear change worked; four or five details that were a big help. And above all, I want to thank the people from Repsol, Honda and KTM who allowed me to enjoy this experience.
"I was a bit scared because of the acceleration of the bike, because they had already warned me about its potential; and the truth is that it's been incredible. But what impressed me most was the braking. The carbon discs give you a very soft touch of the brake and you get the feeling as if you would never stop, but then the bike does stop and there are still some hundred metres left to get to the corner. It's been an unforgettable experience."
Coma will defend his Dakar crown in January.
