Improved acceleration focus for Yamaha in test double-header

Yamaha will focus on improving acceleration and grip on corner exit when Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies test a host of YZR-M1 updates in Catalunya and Motorland Aragon next week.

The pair will evaluate engine, chassis and electronics tweaks as Yamaha technical staff bid to cut the advantage Honda has on acceleration and drive grip.

Yamaha boss Massimo Meregalli told MCN: “We are going to test some updated chassis and electronics. Nothing is a new spec but it is just a modification in each area.

“We can improve on the exit of the corner. This is the area where we should improve but I think we are still very good in some points and better than the other competitors. I think it is more about the chassis and the electronics.

“In terms of the power I think we are already in a good level. If you see the top speed when the last corner onto the straight is third gear, the gap is almost nothing compared to Honda. If we can fix the exit of the corner in first and second gear we will be better but we are working on this.

“At this moment the control is probably working too much and any time that the control works it is cutting power, so we are working in that area to make it smoother and to have better grip.”

Lorenzo goes into his home race in Catalunya this weekend holding a slender eight-point lead over Repsol Honda rival Casey Stoner after the pair shared two wins each in the opening four rounds of 2012.

Full coverage of the Catalunya round will feature in the June 6 issue of Motor Cycle News.