Rea gets MotoGP chance

From Honda Racing Team

The HRC R&D team began a three-day test session at the Sepang circuit, Malaysia on Tuesday in preparation for the 2011 MotoGP season.

Alongside HRC test rider, Kousuke Akiyoshi, who is continuing the development of the RCV212, HRC also invited Jonathan Rea, the Honda Ten Kate World Superbike Team rider to join the test.

After having adjusted the riding position on the RC212V to suit his stature, the 23-year-old Rea, from Northern Ireland joined Japanese rider, and Suzuka 8-hour team-mate Akiyoshi on track.

Akiyoshi and Rea made the most of the warm weather at the 5.548km circuit to complete almost full day’s work with the Honda RC212V, stopping for just one hour due to a short rain shower.

"Today I had great fun learning a MotoGP bike and the Sepang circuit is impressive," Rea said. "My body is still not 100 percent and this is a pity, but I had a very good day with the HRC test team.

"I spent almost all my career on production derived bikes, I just rode a 125 GP a few years ago, and today I had a good feeling riding the Honda RCV212. The bike feels very powerful, the engine revs higher than my CBR1000R and it is easy to change direction. I’d like to thank HRC and Honda Europe for this opportunity. I am looking forward for the next two days of testing."