Having missed several pre-season tests, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda believes it is finally be back on 'level ground' with its rivals, after testing a series of new engine and chassis parts for the '08 CBR1000RR during last week's Valencia test.
Former
MotoGP rider
Carlos Checa was fastest of the Ten Kate trio; the local star setting the fourth fastest lap time on a qualifying tyre - just a quarter of a second behind surprise pace setter
Karl Muggeridge - and he was only half a second slower on a race tyre.
"We've had a positive test here in Valencia," confirmed the WSBK rookie, who took his first podium last time out at Phillip Island. "We have been consistent in our lap times. We've tried different things, swing-arms, links and tyres. We spent a lot of time on that area to find out which base setting we'll be using here for the next race. I'm confident with the base setting, with the qualifiers we tested we experienced some chatter problems again. We come better prepared for the next race here in Valencia then we did for Qatar and Australia so I leave here with a confident feeling."
Fellow rookie and reigning double BSB champion
Ryuichi Kiyonari finished the test one place and less than 0.4secs behind the #7.
"We've tested lots of different parts here, different swing arm, links and brakes. The machine setting was very good and I feel we have made some good progress. I start to understand the machine better every time I go out on the track and I am happy with the improvement of my laps," said the Japanese. "We're leaving here well prepared for the Valencia race in a couple of weeks. Normally we still have some work to do on Friday before the race but with the progress we have already made here we should be capable of find the right setting straightaway."
