Rea completes successful first day onboard Honda RCV212 in Sepang

Jonathan Rea has completed his first day of testing onboard the Honda RCV212V in Sepang. After spending yesterday at the circuit adjusting foot rest and handlebar positions, Rea completed 51 laps today –  his first ever laps onboard a MotoGP bike.

The current Ten Kate Honda WSB rider had to adapt to carbon brakes, Bridgestone tyres and an all new circuit having never ridden at the technical 3.44 mile Malaysian circuit before.

The 23 year old is still recovering from his wrist injury sustained at the Imola round of the World Superbike Championship, which required extensive surgery to repair a chipped Scaphoid bone and ruptured ligament.

Rea said: “Today I had great fun learning a MotoGP bike and the Sepang circuit is impressive! My body is still not 100% and this is a pity, but I had a very good day with the HRC test team. I spent almost all my career on production derived bikes, I just rode a 125 GP a few years ago, and today I had a good feeling riding the Honda RCV212. The bike feels very powerful, the engine revs higher than my CBR1000R and it is easy to change direction. I’d like to thank HRC and Honda Europe for this opportunity. I am looking forward for the next two days of testing.”

Rea will continue testing on Wednesday and Thursday and will be joined on track by Japanese test rider and Rea’s Suzuka 8-hour team-mate Kousuke Akiyoshi.