Welcome to the beta version of the new Women & Golf website. Our web monkeys are still hard at work and welcome your feedback.  

Advertisement

Aragon WSBK test: Bradl positive but ‘a lot to learn’ after shakedown

Honda WorldSBK new boy Stefan Bradl completed his shakedown on the 2016-spec Fireblade at Motorland Aragon and yesterday, saying that the switch to steel brakes and Pirelli tyres was not as difficult as he was expecting.

The German MotoGP exile put in 60 laps at the Alcaniz circuit and although no laptimes were forthcoming, he said he feels at home on the bike and will continue to work today.

 “Everything was very well organised, we just made a shakedown with the bike it was pretty cool in the beginning, but overall everything was like normal. My expectations were that the tyres were going to be different and the bike is obviously different, so I had to adapt and basically the differences are clear and I can feel them. There’s just a little bit more movement in the bike and there is a lot of different parts like steel brakes to adapt to and basically overall, I feel like I’m already at home. Still, there are a lot of things I need to learn but my first impressions were positive.

Advertisement

“There are a lot of things that we still need to work on, it was only the first day and we can be happy because everything went to plan. But like I said there is still a lot I need to learn, I still need to adapt my riding style this bike that requires a different riding style so overall I need to adapt to the steel disc and to all the things that are new for me. This will come step by step. We made 60 laps today I think that’s not too bad and looking forward to tomorrow.”

After the last years on Bridgestone and Michelin tyres, Bradl was impressed by the amount of feedback the squishier Pirelli slicks were giving especially when the track temperature was down.

“Well the tyres were quite easy to understand. There is a lot of information they give to you. This is something I could really understand directly, because in the morning it was cold and I had some worries because what I experienced in MotoGP is that it’s a critical point when you go out and the temperature is quite cool. With these ones it’s a bit easier to get the feeling straight away, so I was really impressed by the amount of information the tyre was able to give.”

Articles you may like

Advertisement

More MotoGP

Advertisement
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram