MotoGP: Estoril test return for 2008 Honda motor

Honda hopes the issues with its problematic pneumatic valve engine have been solved after confirming Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa will test the V4 again after the Estoril MotoGP in Portugal next month.

Honda had hoped to use the new pneumatic valve motor from the start of the 18-round world championship, but power delivery problems seriously hampered progress since it was first tested last November in Valencia.

The issues got so severe that Honda stopped testing the new RC212V engine in February to concentrate on a revised version of last year’s conventional spring valve motor.

But that plan also hit problems, with Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa both having a 2007 RC212V in their garage at last weekend’s historic first night race in Qatar.

Hayden raced the full 2007 spec bike to 10th, while Pedrosa used the 2008 chassis to claim third.

The decision to roll out the old bikes only came after Honda’s dismal performance in the Qatar IRTA test, just six days before practice started.

Honda staff worked round the clock to assemble two 2007 spec bikes from spare parts.