Young Guns Set To Load MotoGP Bullets

Neukirchner had the best of the weather on Thursday afternoon and consequently set the fastest time of the three riders at 1m 37.49s. Dovizioso, third in the 250cc championship, and Luthi had to contend with a cold track and brief rain showers but both riders acquitted themselves well. All three enjoyed the experience and were eager to return for more track time on the machine.

Max Neukirchner: 1m 37.49s – 20 laps. “The RCV was easy to get used to - it’s more like a 250cc to handle than a Superbike. You sit in the RCV the Superbike you sit on, big difference. When I first took it out I expected the power to be extreme but it was easy to handle, the delivery was very smooth, linear. The carbon brakes are super, I was a little worried about them before I tried the bike but no problem. The bike steers very well, I was really impressed by the way it changes direction so quickly, the Superbike is much more physical, hard work compared to the RCV. I really enjoyed my laps on the bike the ride was fun. I hope I get another chance to ride it.”

Thomas Luthi: 1m 44.29s – 25 laps. “Good fun, really good fun to ride. Pity the conditions were not ideal and I didn’t push too hard because of that. The bike has a lot of power, quite amazing but so easy to use. The most impressive thing is the speed of the bike and how early you have to break for the corners. The carbon brakes are just fantastic to ride with but with the speed and weight of the bike you really need them. I need more laps on the bike to understand it better but I must say I felt comfortable on it at the lap time I was running. It’s a great bike, I really like riding it. I have a car that produces 246hp this bike has 250! You cant compare them because on the bike you only have two wheels and you’re sitting on the outside and you can really feel the speed!”

Andrea Dovizioso: 1m 39.50s – 27 laps. “In comparison with the RCV I tested at the end of last season the first thing you notice is the difference in power. This bike has more power but it’s also easier to use. The front end is better, it feels different going into the corners. The only thing about the bike that gave me a little problem was the rear end – under heavy braking the rear wheel hops a little but that might just be the set up.”