Three satellite Honda RC121Vs, two of them ridden by MotoGP rookies, were inside the top six during the opening night of the Qatar test - and ahead of the factory Repsol riders.
LCR's
Randy de Puniet was the top Honda rider under the lights with third position, 0.732secs behind Ducati's world champion
Casey Stoner but just 0.043secs from Fiat Yamaha rookie
Jorge Lorenzo.
"It was strange, especially at the beginning," admitted de Puniet, who has been consistently strong during pre-season testing with his new team. "In fact outside the track everything is dark, but I had no special problem on track with the shadows. The conditions are cool at night and I'm satisfied. The feeling with the bike and the tyres is good. We have a good base set up so I didn't change too much. I tested some tyres for Michelin tonight."
A mere 0.059secs from the Frenchman was rookie
Andrea Dovizioso - who at least had some prior night riding experience to call upon.
"When I was a child and I was riding pocket bikes at night I remember that I had to make only small variations to my riding style," said the Italian. "Here instead it's much more demanding because the track is a bit up and down and the points of reference change colours from one point to another because of the reflection of the lightning. As for the bike I'm happy because I can adapt quite easily to every new track even if I have no point of reference."
Completing the top six was San Carlo Honda Gresini rider
Alex de Angelis who - like all four 2008 rookies - has been largely unfazed by the move to
MotoGP... and he was equally unfazed by the night test, especially having ridden a road bike under floodlights late last year.
"I tested here in November so it was not a big surprise for me," he said. "They did a great job, it's fun riding here. I also did some overtaking and I found no problem with the shadows. Maybe the problem could be the start when we are all together."
But de Angelis did spot some small issues regarding the position of the lights.
"I noticed that in turn seven, for example, there's a light that points too much in the riders' eyes," explained the San Marinese.
The lead factory Honda rider on the opening night was
Dani Pedrosa in eighth position.
The second and final night of the Qatar test starts on Friday evening.
