Honda pair to test 800s in Jerez

Honda has confirmed Marco Melandri and Shinya Nakano will make their 800cc debuts next week in Jerez.

Melandri missed the recent three-day session in Sepang while he recovered from an operation on his left arm.

With only one bike available for Fausto Gresini’s squad, Melandri will have exclusive access to the RC212V after Spanish team-mate Toni Elias rode it in Malaysia.

Japanese rider Shinya Nakano will also make his RC212V debut in Jerez.

With Honda not yet having enough of its new 800cc machines in circulation, Nakano will use the same bike Carlos Checa tested in Malaysia.