Britain’s Scott Redding expressed surprise at the difference between the Production Honda he raced in MotoGP all this year to the works RC213V he tested for the first time today at Valencia.

The MarcVDS man said it was like riding a completely different bike in the Spanish sun as he got used to the extra power and the switch to Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes, leaving behind the Showa and Nissin he used this year.

“Today was quite a surprise, because the RC213V is very different to the RCV1000R I’ve been racing this season, much more than I expected. It was like riding a completely different bike, so it took a bit of getting used to,” said Redding.

“I didn’t want to go out there and push for a fast lap only to hit a wall with the lap time, preferring instead to take my time and learn the bike, building up the pace as we go. My lap time improved with every exit, so I’m happy enough with the progress we made today.

“I’d have preferred to be a little bit quicker, but I’m happy enough with the progress today and I’m confident that over the next two days, as I get to know the bike and my crew a little better, and they get to know me, we’ll see some improvements.”

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