Some of the newcomers had tried a 125 before but joining the Rookies Cup still means new experiences. For 14-year old Czech Jakub Kornfeil, it was interesting to compare the KTM with the RS125 he has ridden before.
“I am really enjoying the KTM, it is much nicer to ride, the handling is better and I am having a lot of fun," he explained, "It is a great track and I don't think I am having any real problems, just learning.”
Of the two Japanese newcomers,14-year old Sasuke Shinozaki settled in quickest, but Daijiro Hiura left a little frustrated by a couple of bike problems and not going as fast as he wanted to be.
“I think I expected a lot of myself here and it just has not worked out the way I wanted," the 13-year old who had shocked everyone with his speed as a wild card rider at the Valencia Rookies Cup race at the end of the 2007 sighed, "I really wanted to do well and I tried very hard.“
Daniel Kartheininger was one of the early fallers on the first day, suffering a spectacular highside that also brought down Kornfeil and Adam Blacklock, as well as a twisted ankle that put a dent in his performance for the rest of the test.
After a day's break, the circus moves to Valencia for a further two days of testing over 28-29 February, with a two-day test at Estoril scheduled for 22-23 before the Cup season starts alongside the Spanish
MotoGP round at
Jerez on 29-30 March.
