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no RAIn EsCApE foR honDA At sEpAng T
he 2012 season may be over but the wet weather that dogged it continues to hinder post-season testing, with Honda pair Marc Marquez and Alvaro Bautista welcomed to Sepang by a tropical storm on Monday. The test was initially planned only for Marquez but after a rain-affected session at Valencia following the final round of the season Bautista was also invited to continue working on suspension updates from Showa. Overnight rain had left the track useless until almost midday and the test was effectively over by 2pm thanks to another downpour. “At the moment the weather is definitely not our friend!” reflected Marquez. “This morning the circuit was wet and we waited until 11:00 to
go out on track. After only four exits it began to rain again and the day was over for us. The grip level was very low and at the beginning it was quite difficult to find any grip at all. However, I am happy because I have been able to improve my lap time each time I went out, even though I remained on the same tyres. Let’s hope that the weather will be kinder tomorrow and it won’t rain!” The Spanish pair, who have been joined by regular Honda test riders Kousuke Akiyoshi and Takumi Takahashi, finish the test on Wednesday, when Ducati begin a three-day session at Jerez with Andrea Dovizioso, Nicky Hayden and Andrea Iannone in the saddle as Ben Spies continues to recover from his shoulder injury.