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Battaini comments on his first MotoGP test
Catalunya was the first testing venue of the Blata WCM team this year. During the three-day test, Franco Battaini and James Ellison racked up kilometers on the 2004 bike as the V6 prototype is still being finalized.
For Italian MotoGP rookie Battaini, the test was a welcome opportunity to gain experience with a 4-stroke engine and also to get to know his new crew.
“During this first test, I realized the differences between this bike and a 250cc machine – I have to get used to the engine braking and to the weight,” declared the 34 year-old from Brescia. “I still have to understand the reactions of the bike and get used to it, which basically means changing the way I ride. That’s what I did during the first two days and I noticed some early progress. On Sunday, I improved my laptimes and I’m happy about it.”
“We’re still far from the frontrunners, but I don’t mind too much for now. I look forward to further progress at Jerez this week, for the second official test.”
The winter tests only served a limited purpose for the team as the new Blata WCM V6 prototype will make its track debut just in time for the first Grand Prix in Jerez.
“The new bike will be a proper factory machine, which means we will be able to bring our input to modify it,” explained Battaini. “Riding a brand new motorcycle for the first time on a Grand Prix weekend is obviously risky, but we will also bring the bikes we used in testing.”
“The calendar has 17 rounds – for sure, we will have to sacrifice the first few races and we will have to aim for better results later on, but we can hope to fight with our rivals.”
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