— Staring’s MotoGP learning curve
Three times Australian Champion and 2012 World Superstock 1000 front-runner Bryan Staring has made his debut in the World’s premier road racing category, the pinnacle of the sport – MotoGP.
Riding in the CRT class for Gresini Racing’s Go & Fun Honda Gresini Team Staring took to the Sepang circuit in Malaysia in scorching temperatures to undertake three intensive days of pre season testing.
On a tough track for a MotoGP debutant, Staring made significant improvements over the three days learning the bike, which has much higher performance level parameters than superbike or superstock machines.
The team was very impressed with Bryan and they are looking forward to the second test later this month.
Bryan Staring, “The first ride was daunting and I had butterflies in my stomach the night before. A new circuit, new bike, new tyres, new team in the top category of motorcycle racing. It was a big task to step up to but I was quietly confident.
“The first thing I noticed is how well I fit the bike. There is more room than a superbike and I can tuck in with my knees behind my elbows and get out of the airstream. The second thing is the riding style required. The bike has a very stiff chassis and requires very fast corner speed. I had to go back to my 125GP experience. The next thing is the incredible lean angle, 57 degrees. There is a huge amount of edge grip on the Bridgestone tyres. The electronics are incredible and braking can be left much deeper than a superbike. Acceleration is very strong.
“Overall, the bike feels like a real race bike, as it is one. By the end of the weekend I felt very confident on the bike and I am looking forward to the next test.
“My team is fantastic. All of them are the best at their jobs and they were very supportive and patient. We tested a lot of important parts over the three days and made extremely good progress, crucial for a successful start to the season. I could not be happier”.
Sepang Test Times – Day Three:
1. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda (RC213V) 2m 0.100s (Lap 4/44)
2. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Yamaha Factory (YZR-M1) 2m 0.429s (4/58)
3. Valentino Rossi ITA Yamaha Factory (YZR-M1) 2m 0.542s (43/55)
4. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda (RC213V) 2m 0.636s (32/54)
5. Cal Crutchlow GBR Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 2m 0.734s (5/53)
6. Stefan Bradl GER LCR Honda MotoGP (RC213V) 2m 1.003s (14/43)
7. Alvaro Bautista ESP Honda Gresini (RC213V) 2m 1.502s (29/48)
8. Bradley Smith GBR Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 2m 2.093s (43/48)
9. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Team (GP13) 2m 2.184s (19/49)
10. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (GP13) 2m 2.277s (37/38)
11. Katsayuki Nakasuga JPN Yamaha Test Rider (YZR-M1) 2m 2.616s (12/21)
12. Aleix Espargaro ESP Aspar (ART CRT) 2m 2.628s (37/47)
13. Andrea Iannone ITA Pramac Racing (GP13) 2m 2.864s (17/32)
14. Kosuke Akiyoshi JPN Honda Test Rider (RC213V) 2m 3.082s (14/28)
15. Michael Laverty GBR Paul Bird Motorsport (ART CRT) 2m 3.874s (40/47)
16. Randy De Puniet FRA Aspar (ART CRT) 2m 4.066s (38/38)
17. Wataru Yoshikawa JPN Yamaha Test Rider (YZR-M1) 2m 4.137s (5/18)
18. Hector Barbera ESP Avintia (FTR-Kawasaki CRT)* 2m 4.211s (31/37)
19. Takumi Takahashi JPN Honda Test Rider (RC213V) 2m 4.288s (37/46)
20. Danilo Petrucci ITA IodaRacing (Suter-BMW CRT)* 2m 4.531s (32/34)
21. Karel Abraham CZE Cardion AB (ART CRT) 2m 4.766s (57/61)
22. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN Avintia (FTR-Kawasaki CRT)* 2m 4.940s (43/45)
23. Claudio Corti ITA Forward (FTR-Kawasaki CRT)* 2m 5.107s (13/37)
24. Lukas Pesek CZE IodaRacing (Suter-BMW CRT)* 2m 5.321s (39/40)
25. Yonny Hernandez COL Paul Bird Motorsport (ART CRT) 2m 5.580s (14/43)
26. Bryan Staring AUS Honda Gresini (FTR-Honda CRT) 2m 5.970s (38/41)
27. Colin Edwards USA Forward (FTR-Kawasaki CRT)* 2m 6.141s (38/41)
* Control ECU.