Today’s action marked the start of the first of two pre-season tests for Hannspree Honda Althea Team in Vallelunga , Italy. Last stage in the march of approach to the first race of February 23rd in Losail, Qatar. A fresh but sunned day has allowed the team to take advantage of all the turns of tests.
Gianluca Nannelli – Supersport : “It was a good day. I go for 66 laps with a best time of 1.40.7 that’s really good because obtained with medium hard tires and with an asphalt temperature of 18 degrees only . I have carried out a long run of 18 laps after to have worked on the suspensions and to have found a good machine’s overall performance. Tomorrow I want to make two long runs at least of 25 laps each.
I want to understand how the bike can run with worn-out tires in forecast of Losail’s race. I have trained a lot in this period and physically I am in perfect condition.
I’m ready to begin the championship”.
Roberto Rolfo – Superbike : “Today I have always used the new 2008 CBR 1000 RR bike and I must say that it has been a positive debut. Even though we have to work a bit on the front setting tomorrow, overall I’m quite happy with the way the things are going. The new bike has indeed a good potential, it’s sensitive, small, handy and with a great engine with a lot of power. I have gone for 55 laps with a best time of 1.40.8, but I have never pushing hard because I have worked a lot on the set-up.
Tomorrow I want to continue the job that we have begun today and I’m sure that with the help of my mechanics we will succeed to find a better set-up in order to try to take advantage of all the engine’s power”.