Jerez MotoGP: Honda to test new engine on Monday

Andrea Dovizioso has revealed he will test a new RC212V factory Honda engine during Monday’s MotoGP test session at the Jerez circuit in Spain.

The engine is a brand new V4 and is designed to tame some of Honda’s powerful but aggressive throttle delivery, according to the Italian.

Dovizioso, who made a brilliant start to 2010 earlier this month with a hard fought third place in Qatar, will run the motor at the test on Monday, which is one of only two post-race tests this year.

The Repsol Honda rider also confirmed that he has a new chassis and swingarm for his RC212V that he could opt to run during practice for Sunday’s Jerez clash, which kicks off the much anticipated European phase of the 2010 world championship.

Dovizioso told MCN: “We have to wait to test the new engine on Monday. With the engine we have a lot of power.

“So we have a margin to manage and this is a really good point and we will try to change the power basically to make it easier and smoother to manage. We have a lot of power in the high rpm but we want to change a little bit.”

The only question mark for Dovizioso will be when he might get the opportunity to race the new engine, if indeed it is a significant improvement.

In 2010, Dovizioso and the MotoGP field are limited to just six engines for the entire campaign under cost-cutting measures.

So it is not clear when Honda could introduce the engine, with Dovizioso emphasising the point that durability is just as vital as performance.

Asked by MCN when he thought he would race the new motor if Monday’s test shows obvious improvement, the 2009 British GP winner added: “I don’t know. This is not fixed and it is so difficult now with the rules.

“Without the engine rules then maybe we could have tried the engine in the race or in practice. But now with the rules we need to be careful.

“It will be a risk to use it because we need to have it confirmed that we can do all the kilometres so that it can do the whole season.

“It is not just a matter of the bike engine having easier power. It is also the mileage and it is not easy.”