Danny Webb gaining confidence with new Aprilia

DeGraaf Aprilia rider Danny Webb is confident he is finally mastering Aprilia’s 2009 125GP contender after he finished the Jerez test in a disappointing 17th place.

The British teenager has struggled with a lack of front-end feel from a new set of Ohlins front forks that has hampered several Aprilia riders during winter testing.

Some riders like fellow British star Scott Redding have even reverted back to last year’s forks, and Webb said: “I’ve decided to stick with the new forks because I’ve been told they are going to be much better. Some riders don’t like them but some have them and are going really fast.  

“I’ve been having some problems with the front in the fast corners but towards the end I was getting more comfortable. I think some new parts for the forks are coming too pretty soon so that should help.

“I’m nowhere near as close to the front as I want to be, but I feel like I’m adapting to the forks now and the new bike more. It has been strange because the new bike has taken a lot longer to adapt to than I expected.”

Webb logged a best time of 1.48.665 to finish 1.3s slower than fastest rider Julian Simon. And despite finishing outside of the top 15, he was only 0.9s away from a top six finish.