Casey Stoner: Tight tracks frustrating on new 1000s

Reigning MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner says the extra horsepower on his new 1000cc Honda RC213V machine makes riding short and tight tracks like Jerez a frustrating experience.

Many people anticipate the new 1000s to be capable of hitting top speeds of more than 220mph at fast tracks like Qatar, Catalunya and Mugello.

But after spending three days riding at the tight Jerez track during the final pre-season test of 2012, the Australian believes the performance of the 1000s is going to be too much for tracks like Jerez and Sachsenring.

Stoner, who topped the timesheets in Jerez to complete his domination of winter testing, told MCN: “This track (Jerez) is too small, especially for these big bikes. You don’t need sixth gear. Even in Laguna Seca I think we may have a higher top speed. 

“Here (Jerez) it is frustrating to ride because it is all partial throttle, on-off and then one corner into the next and there is nowhere where you can really use the power of these bikes really well. You are constantly trying to stop wheelies.

“When we get to the tracks that are more open it is going to be a lot more fun to me when you can use the power of these bikes.”

British rider Cal Crutchlow agreed with Stoner and said the power and speed of the new Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine meant Jerez felt like a ‘go-kart track’.

The former World Supersport champion, who was fifth quickest in Jerez, told MCN: “You hardly get to 100% throttle at Jerez now on the 1000 and the bike wants to wheelie a lot. It is a bit of a handful to be honest coming out of those low gear corners.

“Coming from a long and fast track like Sepang which is about 20 seconds longer than Jerez, it made it feel like a go-kart track.”

For more from Stoner and Crutchlow, see the March 28 issue of Motor Cycle News.