MotoGP Jerez test - Lab bike gives minimal gains for Hayden

Factory Ducati's Nicky Hayden was left a little disappointed with the performance of the GP13 'lab bike' he rode for the first time at Jerez in testing yesterday, and wasn't the jump forward he was hoping for.

The bike was raced buy Michele Pirro at the Spanish circuit and Hayden said that although there have been some improvements to the understeer issues that are plaguing him and team-mate Andrea Dovizioso, it is no magic bullet.

"It was important to do a few laps to compare the lab bike that Pirro rode. You always hope it's going to be one huge step and knock off a second which wasn't really the case. There was definitely a few little advances and positives to it which confirms they are working in a good way," said Hayden, speaking at Jerez.

"The lab bike is easier on corner entry, to lay into the corner and you don't have to fight it as much. On entry, you can make the apex so on the exit there are a few places where you can keep a good exit, turn four in particular. I was dragging my foot on right-handers as the frame is a little bit wider, we're only talking 15mm, but it is enough to touch my toes.

"The understeer is still there in the long corners but it's a slight step in the right direction. This is still a bit of a test bike, it's not a real bike to go racing but hopefully they got some more really good information today and when the bike comes back next time it will be ready to go." 

By David Miller

Image by Bonnie Lane