Hayden sees improvements at Sepang

From Repsol Honda

SEPANG, MALAYSIA -- Nicky Hayden made an early start to his final day of testing at Sepang today and the American was quickly up to speed on the Repsol liveried RC212V Honda on a hot and humid day.

The ambient temperature soared to 34 degrees with the track surface at 46 by early afternoon, rising to 60 plus degrees at one point and consequently reducing the level of grip in the process.

Despite the sweltering conditions the Repsol Honda team technicians managed to improve the chassis specification of the factory RC212V and find suitable Michelin rubber to suit the set up in the extreme conditions. Hayden's fastest lap was a 2:00.900.

The former MotoGP World Champion was pleased with the results achieved over the two days and will not test on the final day of the planned three-day test. He now leaves Malaysia for his Kentucky home and a well earned break before MotoGP testing resumes in completely different weather conditions at the Jerez circuit, Southern Spain on Feb. 16-18.