Honda and Ducati have already done some testing on the motorcycles that they will use in 2012. Yamaha riders Ben Spies and Jorge Lorenzo, however, had to wait until the BRNO test to get their first taste of the 2012 Yamaha prototype.
Spies and Lorenzo started the day with some tests on the 2011 YZR-M1 before bringing the 1000cc bike onto the track. Lorenzo and Spies both felt right at home on the bigger bike and claimed the 2nd and 3rd fastest times of the day.
Lorenzo, who put in 28 laps on the 1000cc motorcycle, was impressed with the power of the 2012 Yamaha and predicted an extremely exciting 2012 MotoGP season.
"Today has been an exciting and busy day because it has been the first day riding the 1000cc bike, but also because we have made a small step with the engine upgrades for the 800cc bike," Lorenzo said. "We rode many laps non-stop from nine this morning to five this afternoon!
"I realized the 1000cc bike was incredible when I saw the power on the straight. I like this bike a lot and I wanted to have more laps but I have to still think about this season. I have been just one hour with our future bike. I can say that the next MotoGP season will be amazing, much more power, you go out of the corners sliding; I can't wait!"
Spies, who wanted to rest an aggravated trapped nerve, put in 15 laps on the 2012 Yamaha.
"With the 1000cc bike it was a pretty successful first day," Spies said. "We didn't change much on it, pretty much just rolled out and did some laps to get as much data as possible. We made some small changes to see how differently it affected the bike compared to the 800.There's more improvements to be made for sure but for the first day to go faster than the 800 was a surprise. My arm is feeling better and better, I'm getting a check up when I fly home to the US on Wednesday but should be fit and ready for Indianapolis."
