Barros happy with style

Brazilian veteran Alex Barros said he has had no trouble in quickly adapting to the new riding style required on the 800cc MotoGP machines.

Having spent a year away from the MotoGP arena in World Superbikes, it was thought the former factory Honda rider would need more time to adjust to the 250 technique needed on the 800s.

Faster corner speeds and higher entry speeds are a feature of the new generation 800 bikes, as is late braking – always one of Barros’ most potent assets.

The D’Antin Ducati rider said: “For me the style is OK because I come from the smaller classes. I have ridden 50, 80, 125 and 250cc so for me I think this bike is more close to a 250 riding style than a 990. It’s amazing how fast already these new machines are going, almost the same average lap time as the 990.

“Mainly it is the corner speed because it is much faster than the 990, but also you can brake later. There’s less power but the faster corner speed keeps the times to 990 close.”