As the Fiat Yamaha squad, plus Valentino Rossi, prepare for defending the Italian’s title in this season’s MotoGP World Championship.  Rossi's team Manager Davide Brivio comments on Rossi's M1 that he will be racing this 2010 season.

Speaking at the second official test at Sepang, Brivio explains, “It’s a little bit different compared to the 2009 machine, starting with the front cowling. Yamaha worked on the aerodynamics of this new bike, in order to improve the performances and top speed, and also the cooling. Here at Sepang is a very good place to test because the temperature is very high and we can see if this has a good effect. We actually tested it last time and it was good, so this will be the final spec of the cowling for 2010.”

Discussing the new technical regulations that incporporates a maximum of six engines per racer, Brivio adds, “Another important area where we worked on this bike is the engine. Because the regulations this year mean everyone must only use a maximum of six engines, we had to improve the durability and reliability of the engine because they have to last much longer. The difficulty has been finding durability without losing performance. We already had some good results, because in lower rpm and middle rpm our engine is better than 2009, and we haven’t lose any top speed so far.”

The frame of the bike also receives some concern, as Brivio describes the task of modifications without loss of performance.

“We’re also working a lot on the chassis, trying to find a different rigidity balance in order to improve the grip on the tyre, without losing too much on the engine. So we have to find the best compromise between gaining the grip and maintaining the good characteristics of the bike,” says Brivio, before concluding.

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With Ben Spies at Monster Yamaha Tech3 this season will be Tom Houseworth, the competitor’s crew chief. Houseworth is united with the set up of Spies’ world superbike championship victory squad last season, and carries his expertise over to MotoGP with the racer.

“I started in AMA in the late 80s and worked my way up, and I’ve been with Ben since 2003,” says Houseworth. “I basically take whatever Ben has on the track and get it to the engineer and our data guys, and try and get the best package for Ben for race day.”

He adds, “For me he is really good. He is one of the few riders I’ve had who will come in and say: ‘It’s me, it’s not the bike: I have to go a little faster before we change anything’. That’s really refreshing. You can have a guy who will go out for three laps and say the bike is a pile of junk, but Ben never does that. He will make sure he is up to speed before he changes anything so that’s a real plus on our side.”

Spies had an impressive Sepang test which has increased expectations following the 2010 season ahead, though Houseworth says the goal focus is on the racer to continue learning with his M1 bike.

“As far as targets go, I know Ben said top ten or top five,” states Houseworth. “Top ten’s going to be good, and obviously deep down we’re going to want to win. Is that possible? I don’t know. We’ll have to wait until the first few races and see where we stand. He’s just been learning the bike. We haven’t really pushed it too hard, we barely changed anything and it’s just a matter of Ben learning the limits of this particular bike, and then we’ll see where it happens.”

Looking ahead and whether Spies may be a future contendor for the World Champion, Houseworth explains, “I don’t see why not. My opinion is that he is as good as anybody out there.

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Following over 100 laps and a speed of nearly 600km, the Dani Pedrosa has consistently improved by taking half a second off his lap times initially on the second day of testing.

Could you sum up the two days of testing?
“We mainly focused on the new chassis and Ohlins suspension again, after the tests we did at the beginning of the month here in Malaysia. To be honest, the sensations on this machine are still new for me because as well as starting to work with Ohlins after so much time with Showa (both Honda and I), the chassis has changed and the electronics have evolved. What we're looking for now is a good combination of everything and we still haven't found it, we haven't made the progress we expected. So we need to reflect on it, see what we need and advance in the forthcoming test in Qatar.”

You haven't finished where you expected. Are you worried because there are only two test days left before the World Championship starts?
“I'm not worried, but it's true that we only have two days left to test and perhaps that won't be enough time for us. However, that's what there is and we have to work with that, so we'll try and be as ready as possible for the first race. Honda is making a huge effort and I'm also making a maximum effort, so the results have to be noticeable soon.”

What is the problem at the moment?
“It's difficult to explain because I have conflicting sensations. On the positive side, we have managed to get better control of the machine coming out of the turns and it's a bit smoother.”

Do you think that Honda could do anything, like bringing new material?
“I don't know what the plan will be because obviously, first of all we have to analyse and check what we need and what we have to do. Then, we'll take the necessary measures.”

What would be the priority that you need to resolve?
“At the moment we have problems with the chassis and suspension. The combination hasn't worked well and it isn't truly matched.”

After being able to train well over the winter, without the problems of previous years; how do you feel physically?
“In the first test we did, I didn't feel completely fit and after riding those two days, we prepared a more specific training plan concentrating on the points where I felt a little weak, for example, when braking. We did more arm exercises and in this second test I felt better. There are still aspects that can be improved and we have a month to go before the first race, during which time we can do it well.”

Have you improved in braking, which was one of the biggest problems last year?
“Not enough yet to be able to say that we can forget about it.”

And the electronics?
“I think we've advanced there, although we still haven't managed to adjust the machine's chassis, so we can't really get the most out of them. As soon as we find the direction to take with the chassis and the suspension, we'll be able to benefit more from the new electronics, which I think is positive.”

The next test is in Qatar, at night, in conditions that are very different to those that you are going to find in the rest of the season.
“Yes, it will be a test that focuses more on the first race, but we'll have to get the most out of it for our machine.”

Do you think the change in your garage with Alberto Puig as the team manager will affect you in any way? Have you noticed any differences?
“At the moment, it's the same as before. Things are running smoothly but if we have any problems, I hope that they can be corrected more quickly, as he is a person who says things very clearly.”

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Arriving to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia for the second testing of the year, Rizla Suzuki competitors Loris Capirossi and Álvaro Bautista, together with Team Manager Paul Denning, stopped into Japan where they were greeted with a tour of Suzuki’s headquarters.

Suzuki’s Directors Mr. Toshihiro Suzuki and Mr. Masanori Atsumi and Managing Officer Mr. Sadayuki Inobe showed the group around the ‘Suzuki Plaza’ museum, Capirossi and Bautista also went to the race department where they visited with engineers and reviewed the development of the 2010 GSV-R they will race in this season's World Championship.

“It was a great experience to visit Suzuki’s Head Office and Motorcycle Technical Engineering Centre,” says Capirossi. “I have been to the factory before but I never visited the Suzuki Museum, and it was amazing to see Suzuki’s technologies going right back to the start of the last century, and the first motorcycle from 1952.”

He adds: “Our meetings in the Racing Department were also very important, and it really makes us understand Suzuki’s effort when we see so many engineers focusing on making the best possible bike for only two riders – Álvaro and me. I would also like to thank Toshihiro-san, Atsumi-san and Inobe-san for taking time to see us and giving us their support for the 2010 season. I am going to Sepang full of motivation, and I know that Suzuki is 100% behind me.”

MotoGP rookie Bautista comments: “The engineering facility is amazing, it really opened my eyes to what goes on to support us and after visiting the museum I know a lot more about Suzuki’s history. It is incredible to see such a huge company still feeling like a family business and everyone is so friendly and welcoming.”

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An agreement was made recently by Dorna Sports S.L. CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes for the nation’s best cost effective carrier to become the title sponsor of the 2010 AirAsia British Grand Prix.

AirAsia’s sponsorship is sure to deliver success by associating itself with the sport, the airline’s partnership with MotoGP is due to raise extra interest in the sport throughout the wider community of Asia.

AirAsia Group CEO Mr Fernandes comments, “We had our first taste of MotoGP when we sponsored the entries of Elly and Zulfahmi. It was a magnificent experience. The boys did Malaysia proud, and we were thrilled to have helped make their dream a reality. We are proud and excited to be back in the MotoGP this year, with a bigger role by being the title sponsor of the British Grand Prix in Silverstone.”

Dorna Sports CEO Mr Ezpeleta states, “We are extremely happy that the best low-cost airline has chosen MotoGP to increase its impact on both the European and World stage, and specifically in the United Kingdom. It is fantastic to go back to Silverstone for this year’s race, and to do it with a new sponsor who has shown its dedication to the promotion of new talent – by sponsoring young riders last season – and the sport in general makes it even more satisfying.”

AirAsia is the biggest low cost airline in Asia, its services extend over 130 routes throughout 70 destinations.

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DUCATI has unveiled Australian costs and availability for its fresh 2010 Multistrada 1200 and 1200 S recently shown at the EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milano, Italy.

The Multistrada 1200 will arrive in 3 different models, the 1200, the 1200S and the 1200S Touring, all three will come with the initial use of ABS on a Ducati.

The Multistrada 1200 range will be due in May/June next year.

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Rossi and Lorenzo, who arrived first and third quickest respectively in last week's testing, arrived at the Yamaha Riders Club where they excelled in a meet and greet with Yamaha VIP clientele before assisting with an exclusive TV interview on the Thailand Night Show.

The duo then took part in a press conference with Thai media before appearing on stage amongst 10,000 specators to release the fresh Yamaha Nuovo 150cc. Both competitors rode some laps on special 46 and 99 replica versions of the new model. Rossi and Lorenzo were then able to meet Mr. Nagashima, President of Thailand Yamaha Motor, and Mr. Yanagi who will shortly be Yamaha Motor Company's new president.

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The initial two day testing at Sepang was a tough ride for the San Carlo Honda Gresini pair of Marco Melandri and Marco Simoncelli, who were forced to work hard on the setting up of their Honda RC212V bikes.

Wet weather conditions halted both racers from testing in the morning of the second day, further complications occurred when Simoncelli crashed in the afternoon, scraping his elbow, left thigh and bruising the little finger of his left hand.

Despite the agony and being aware of the minimal testing time left prior to the beginning of the World Championship, Simoncelli courageously raced back onto the circuit to continue the work with the MotoGP Honda. He added pace once again and collected vital information for future tests.

Melandri finished the day well, leaving Sepang confident of extra improvement following the next test on February 25-26.

Marco Melandri – 2’02.810 lap time

“It's been a very difficult day, continuing our work on the geometry of the bike and trying hard to find the right balance, the feeling in the front end and on corner entry. We found both positive and negative solutions before discovering a setting later on which could serve as a base geometry from which to work in the future. Then we also worked on the suspension, finding considerable improvements, however we know there is still lots to do. With everything we've found we will be able to prepare a good working plan for the next test, it was just a shame about the rain here which cut the test an hour short and stopped us from testing with new tyres. The important thing however was to find the right direction and I think that in the end we've managed that so we now leave Sepang extremely confident.”

Marco Simoncelli – 2’03.245 lap time

“The first half of the day was relatively difficult because we couldn't get the bike to work properly and lost lots of time, then to top it off I had a crash. I had gone out with new tyres and after half a lap I came back in because of the same problems. I did a technical check and I went out once more. In the first left-hander although I was really paying attention – maybe not enough – the bike catapulted me off. I hit the asphalt hard and thinking about it now I was lucky just to get a few grazes, it could have been a lot worse.

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The race for the MotoGP World Championship title this year between Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo will have an extra edge.

It has been announced by Masahiko Nakajima, MotoGP Group Leader and Fiat Yamaha Team Director, that there is no sharing of data between the two racers this season, as they rival each other for the crown which Rossi claimed last year.

Rossi says he believes the new method of procedure is a correct one.  “Speaking with Yamaha I think Jorge, especially last year and already in 2008, demonstrated great speed and a good attitude to fix and set the bike,” says the Doctor. “Now he has been in the team for two years, so everyone agrees that it’s possible for everyone to make their own way.”

Rossi adds: “Also, Jorge wants to work more on the development, so I think it’s right that everyone does his job alone. But at the end it doesn’t change a lot because all the comments between me and Jorge are quite similar, so it’s not a big change.”

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Conditions were as expected at Sepang this week following a temperature of 30ºC and circuit reading of 60ºC, it will be a trying time on Thursday when the official MotoGP racers arrive to test their bikes.

Norihiko Fujiwara and Wataru Yoshikawa (Yamaha Factory), Kosuke Akiyoshi (Repsol Honda Team), Nobuatsu Aoki (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) and Vittoriano Guareschi (Ducati Marlboro Team) were all present as they tested their 2010 prototypes.

Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa, Loris Capirossi, Nicky Hayden, Héctor Barberá, Álvaro Bautista and Hiroshi Aoyama were all present also. 

No confirmed times were available as the main goal was to focus on the set-ups of each motorbike, however the Yamaha box concluded that between Fujiwara and Yoshikawa a best time of 2’07.34.

As for Honda, Akiyoshi took the bikes of Andrea Dovizioso and Dani Pedrosa to be sure that the basics on each bike were functioning properly.  Dovizioso and Pedrosa will together be testing machines that have evolved to new regulations and will test fresh electrics.

Guareschi, manager of Ducati and test rider, was on circuit and conferred with the satellite teams.

“We have a few different things to test,” comments Guareschi. “We have three forks of varying rigidity for the riders to choose the best from. It is very important because here it is very hot and that results in much tyre wear.”

He adds: “We also have two different fairings that Nicky will test tomorrow (Thursday), which are very similar to the 2009 ones and which we started to use in the final four races of last season.

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Alex de Angelis’ year has begun positively with his participation at the Rally Ronde in Val d'Orcia, where he claimed his taste for speed.

The competitor, who will ride this season in the Moto2 category with Team Scot, drove a Citroen C2 and ended the event in 15th spot where 85 teams began. De Angelis came off pretty good in a speed trial stage inclusion for various areas of the Italian Rally Championship.

The De Angelis-Costa squad won against their rivals in Group R, R2B class and were the highest placing two-wheel-drive duo.

“I’m very satisfied! I got a result I could not have hoped for the day before,” explains De Angelis. “In theory my little C2 was below the Clio 2000 and S1600 entries. It was a fun day and sunny too. The trial was very fast and at some points it was necessary to use the higher gears and hit high speeds. It was also very exciting to race on a different surface.”

De Angelis now focusses on Moto2, adding: “The motorsport season has begun very well, and I hope it now continues on two wheels. My focus is now dedicated to bikes, and on February 10 I plan to have my first test on board the GP209 of Team Scot.

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Suzuki Motor Corporation has confirmed an extra two year contract with ITL (Imperial Tobacco Limited) which will allow the Suzuki MotoGP squad to continue on carrying the Rizla brand on its GSV-R in the upper class of motorbike racing.

Rizla was the title sponsor of Suzuki’s MotoGP squad in 2006 and the extension of the partnership will let the Suzuki GSV-R race in the MotoGP World Championship as the now famous ‘Rizla Blue’ until 2011.

Loris Capirossi and newly signed Álvaro Bautista will arrive into action on their Rizla Suzuki prototypes at the initial testing of this season at Sepang in Malaysia this week, with the season due to begin in Qatar on April 11.

Paul Denning, Rizla Suzuki Team Manager, states: “Everybody involved with the Suzuki Grand Prix project is delighted that the Rizla brand will continue its partnership in 2010 and into 2011, and that we are able to continue with the now iconic Rizla Suzuki image for the next two seasons. It’s very clear that the 2009 season fell far below our expectations and targets, but Loris, Álvaro, the whole team and the Suzuki Racing group in Hamamatsu will be doing everything we can to take a big step forward and re-pay Rizla’s faith in the project during 2010 and beyond.”

Sales and Marketing boss of Imperial Tobacco Group Plc, Graham Blashill, adds: “The MotoGP platform fits perfectly with Rizla's global, premium status and the close partnership we have forged with the Suzuki team enables us to leverage the brand extremely effectively.

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The Moto2 category will give spectators the chance to observe the development of a number of new prototypes in their debut year, including a variety of talented racers.

Amid the 39 competitors named in the provisional entry list for the Moto2 World Championship this season are four 125cc World Champions - Thomas Lüthi (2005), Gabor Talmacsi (2007), Mike di Meglio (2008) and Julián Simón (2009). Alongside them are four racers who have claimed runner up positions on the World Championship podium - Fonsi Nieto (250cc in 2002), Roberto Rolfo (250cc in 2003), Alex de Angelis (125 cc in 2003) and Héctor Faubel (125cc in 2007).

Also amongst the line up will be six competitors with experience of the premier class - Toni Elías, De Angelis, Niccolò Canepa, Yuki Takahashi, Talmacsi and Rolfo.

Contesting the Championship will be 17 racers who have been victorious in a Grand Prix, with a total of 79 wins between them - Toni Elías (10), Mattia Pasini (10), Gabor Talmacsi (9), Julián Simón (8), Héctor Faubel (7), Mike di Meglio (5), Thomas Lüthi (5), Fonsi Nieto (5), Andrea Iannone (4), Sergio Gadea (3), Roberto Rolfo (3), Stefan Bradl (2), Alex Debón (2), Lukas Pesek (2),

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Shortly the competitors who will make up the 2010 MotoGP grid, will arrive at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia as the circuit preparations intensify for the coming year.

LCR Honda racer Randy de Puniet will be present and after his squad were recently at Honda Racing’s work place in Tokyo to develop the new version of the RC212V, he is excited about the fresh engine.

“My team was in Japan last week to work on the bike and I spoke with my crew chief,” De Puniet explains. “He told me the bike is completely new, and it will be closer to the factory prototype – this is great news for next year! Now I just have to wait to ride it because it’s not so easy to speak about the improvements until you’ve tried the bike out on the track.”

De Puniet adds: “I’m excited about Sepang because I’ll try the new bike there. It’s been almost three months now (since the end of the season). Some riders at the Valencia Test (last November) tried the new bike and I used the old one, so that’s why Malaysia will be very good for me.”

De Puniet has been training consistently as he still aims to fully recover from the fractured ankle incurred last August, however he is confident he will be in fine form for the beginning of the campaign.

“I’ve done some good training this month but I’m not at 100% yet,” he states. “I need to be at that for the first race, and that’s why we have this good schedule. Now it’s time to ride the bike and after to resume training, but I think we are on course.”

De Puniet has also been training beside Jules Cluzel, who will ride this year. He adds: “Jules came to train with me because he wanted to improve his physical condition. I tried to help him and I think he did a good job, because for him it was a completely new workout. We did cycling, motorcycling, running, and many other things for between three and four hours per day, five days per week and over a three-week period. It was good for both of us.”

Ending, De Puniet shares his thoughts on the recent confirmation that the premier session will have a maximum engine capacity of 1000cc from 2012.

“It will be interesting, especially on the riding side, and there will also be more power.

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Kawasaki has opened a new dealership in country Victoria named WBR Motorcycles.

Located in the popular holiday area of Echuca on the Murray River, the business is owned and run by 24 year old Travis Whitten and 20 year old Nathan Whitten.

The siblings are part of Whip Industries who are a firm that holds mini-bike jumping shows around the country. The brothers are also eager motocross racers and will be competing in both the 2010 Australian motocross and Super X titles.

Based on the main street of Echuca, WBR is now in the stages of manufacturing a brand new purpose built shop on the same part of land as the current building, due to open in April.

WBR Motorcycles is open five and a half days per week and there is a wide variety of stock available of Kawasaki motorbikes, including ATVs, Mule Utility Vehicles and RUVs.

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MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo has listed his services to aid to the unity currently on offer for victims of the Haiti earthquake.  He is currently supporting Oxfam’s efforts in helping those that have suffered from the disaster.

Lorenzo has given the golden Dainese boots that he wore during the 2008 year (when he won Rookie of the Year), for auction.

Lorenzo says: “Oxfam needs your donations in order to respond to this humanitarian crisis. The people of Haiti are in need and we cannot wait.”

Following his trip to Malaysia for the MotoGP Test at the beginning of February, Lorenzo willl experience his initial action of the new season.

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Track conditions have improved last Thursday which gave Valentino Rossi the ability to take nearly three and a half seconds off his best lap test on the Wednesday, as the World Champion ended a 2 day testing in a Ferrari F2008 at Circuit de Catalunya.

There were a few hitches howeve, after arriving back to the circuit in the afternoon, the Italian hero finished a handful of laps with two almost identical errors at the entrance to the chicane, this section of the circuit not used for motorcycle racing.

“Turn 10 is difficult because it is too narrow,” says Rossi. “For sure it’s much better when we go through it with a bike.”

Rossi finished a couple of sessions of between four and five laps, the best turn being 1’21.9.

“Today we hoped to run in the dry, but we had to fit wet tyres again this morning,” he adds. “I was faster than yesterday despite some problems with under-steering.”

He continues: “I haven’t driven an F1 car for a year, but today we worked on the setting. It’s always interesting to go a little further than just driving. I think it’s nice for Italian fans to see me driving a Ferrari. On the other hand, I must say that Montmeló is even more fun than Mugello.”

Focussing on his future, Rossi also spoke about the possiblility of staying with Yamaha: “It’s a special situation because the four fastest riders in the World Championship are in the final year of their contracts. Personally, I’ll think about it around June and may have decided by then.”

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Faster tells the tale of MotoGP with interviews, commentary and excellent footage, supplying an overall insight into the world of premier class motorbike racing.

The movie, directed by Mark Neale, shows interviews with former World heros Mick Doohan and Kevin Schwantz, plus a host of exciting figures in the world of motorbike racing, including Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi whose massive rivalry is covered.

Faster is now recognised as the best motorcycling film of the decade from the January/February edition of RRX, you can buy the DVD online.

It is available in six different languages – English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Dutch – purchases can be made along with the sequel The Doctor, The Tornado & The Kentucky Kid.

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Valentino Rossi was thrilled with the result of the motocross event he arranged in Cavallara on Sunday, over 10,000 spectators aided in making the day successful.

The event, titled ‘motocross dei Campioni, 30 anni dopo’, was claimed by Andrea Dovizioso, with other Italian racers such as Marco Melandri, Loris Capirossi, Marco Simoncelli and Mattia Pasini, also the 125cc World Champion Julián Simón and prior 500cc title holder Kevin Schwantz participated.

Organised by the 2009 MotoGP World Hero to raise funds and awareness for a children’s hospital located in Pesaro that aid leukaemia sufferers, Rossi was extremley please with the result in numbers.

“This was important because it was a charity event for children. We are thrilled by the response, and it is exciting to see all these people here in Cavallara. It’s also nice to compete with the other riders!” explains Rossi. “I thank all the riders who wanted to come. I think it was a good show and we’ve been fortunate this year because it didn’t rain, so we’ve all thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Revealing his plans for the rest of the month, Rossi adds, “I will still race. Later this month I’ll participate in the Monza Rally, in a Ford, and the week after I’ll be at the Bologna Motorshow, also with a Ford.

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Jorge Lorenzo is one of 12 celebrities to pose for the eighth issue of the Talita Foundation’s calendar for next year.

The 22 year-old, who arrived second in this season’s MotoGP World Championship, was thrilled to take time and share his image to a cause created for helping children and young people with Down’s Syndrome.

Already an ambassador with the ANIMA Foundation for youngsters with leukaemia having worked on last year's calendar, Lorenzo was photographed with Anna Marlasca and enjoyed a fun shoot that was done by Óscar Fernández Orengo.

Also being photographed for the calendar next year were actor Santi Millán, footballer Gerard Piqué, chef Carme Ruscalleda, model Eva González, presenter Susanna Griso, designer Antonio Miró, singer José Luis Perales, journalist Luis del Olmo, writer María Vallejo-Nájera, tennis player Fernando Verdasco, and comic Andreu Buenafuente.

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The initial steps for Héctor Barberá and Álvaro Bautista ahead of their moves into MotoGP next season were enjoyed on Monday in the finale season testing at Valencia, with the former testing his satellite Ducati and the latter trying his new Suzuki at the Ricardo Tormo track.

Barberá, who arrives from Valencia and was victorious in the last ever 250cc GP event at home on Sunday, was excited to test his new Desmosedici 800cc machine which he will compete on for the fresh Aspar MotoGP squad next year. The Spaniard took 63 laps and claimed a decent best effort of 1’36.204 to finish the day 3.5s off Casey Stoner’s quickest time.

“This is like a dream,” states Barberá after the session. “This is an amazing moment in my career and we are looking to meet the very highest standards possible. I feel very comfortable in the Aspar team box again and the bike is amazing. It is very rigid in terms of drive which is similar to my old 250cc, but the grip is incredible and it feels like the straights are so much shorter. I’m still adapting of course, but you can feel the bike lifting up and it’s still hard for me to open the throttle fully.”

He adds, “The key objective was to make sure I did not crash. I felt pretty good on the bike and we went pretty fast, but I need to go step by step in order to get used to the bike which is at a similar level to the factory machines. It’s my first time on a four stroke bike and I didn’t know the lines to take but I’m learning quickly.”

Bautista added 52 turns on his new engine and lapped half a second faster than Barberá on an initial day of testing with the Rizla Suzuki squad.

He said, “I had a day of learning how to handle the machine and enjoyed myself out there. The bike is so powerful and it is not easy to ride at first but I think it’s easier than a 250cc machine. The main differences are the traction control and the tyres, which last much longer, so the feeling on cornering is much steadier.

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