BHP management key

Factory Ducati rider Loris Capirossi believes one of the reasons why lap times are already plummeting in the new 800cc MotoGP era is down to significantly more manageable horsepower, despite saying that the throttle response on his Ducati has been like a lightswitch.

Echoing the thoughts of new team-mate Casey Stoner, who recently said the 990s were overpowered, the 33-year-old Italian reckons that riders are already smashing last year’s lap records with power on the 800s much usable and rider friendly.

The former world 125 and 250 champion said: “The 800 is better because we can use 100 per cent of the power. With the 990 we could use 85 per cent.

“This why we are quicker than the old bike because we can use more of the power.