Nakagami on top as he stuns factory stars
Takaaki Nakagami has shown just how good the Honda RC213V is by topping two days of testing at Jerez, some 0.025 clear of factory rider Marc Marquez.
Nakagami graduated to the 2018 machine after a difficult rookie season on 2017 machinery. He set the super-fast time on injured team-mate Crutchlow’s factory bike.
The Japanese rider said the more rideable, smoother engine introduced at the start of the season makes a huge difference; not only for one fast lap but for consistent times over race distance. “It’s a big jump, and the power delivery has improved a lot. From the middle to the top of the power range, it’s a lot smoother, and in the bottom it’s sweeter and easier to ride. We’re still working with a used tyre to get the best results, but we’re already more consistent than we were with last year’s bike.”
Nakagami’s pace could cause problems for injured Cal Crutchlow. Honda’s ultimate dream is a Japanese world champion so Nakagami could become more equal, with the Brit no longer getting all the best bits first. Crutchlow is expected to return at the Sepang test in February.
1st Nakagami 1’37.945 Lap