After a frustrating first day on Tuesday when former World champion Casey Stoner could complete only six full laps due to bad weather, the second day of MotoGP testing at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Japan on Wednesday was very productive.
Stoner reeled off 47 laps and completed the planned programme, testing a few small upgrades on the 2013 RC213V in the morning and early afternoon before switching to the 2014 machine, the same as Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez tested at Aragon.
GOOD TRACK TIME
Stoner said later: "Thankfully today the weather improved a lot, in fact it was pretty hot, and we were able to get some good track time and work on our test programme.
"We had a productive day in general; the test plan wasn't too hectic, so we were able to get most of it done today, after yesterday's washout.
“It was great to see the team, even if there were only a few people here, and it felt really good to get back on the bike after nine months.
“I'm happy with how the test went, but it doesn't change my mind about the wild cards - this is not something I am planning to do."
INCREASING THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT
HRC vice-president Shuhei Nakamoto commented: "Over the course of Casey's two-day test, we've gathered a vast amount of data and ideas for upgrades. Now we can increase the pace of development on the RC213V - and hopefully win the championship!
In future tests, we'll get Casey to test-ride the tentatively named MotoGP Production Racer and help us to make it competitive."
JUST HOW FAST WAS STONER?
Italian magazine Motosprint clocked Stoner unofficially at 1min47.6, with very little rubber on the circuit and very little grip. By comparison, his best lap in qualifying for the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix at the same circuit - with qualifying tyres on a grippy surface - was 1min45.745.
Not many racers at world championship level in any branch of motorsport can go out after a nine-month break and get within two seconds of their previous near-record lap times.