Alvaro Bautista looking to tap into Honda potential

Alvaro Bautista believes he is yet to tap into the full potential of the new Honda RC213V machine as he prepares for the final pre-season MotoGP test in Jerez next week.

The Spaniard, who launched the new look San Carlo Gresini Honda earlier this week, says he is still adapting to the RC213V 1000cc machine after spending his MotoGP career on Suzuki’s factory GSV-R 800.

The former 125GP world champion was seventh fastest at the second Sepang test in Malaysia earlier this month but he said it was too early to judge his potential for the first few races of the new 1000cc era.

Bautista told MCN: “I am not 100% with the bike yet and I still have a lot to learn. I still have things to change and use all of the potential of the Honda. I need more kilometres with this bike to reach the maximum but my target is to be as close as possible to the top guys. It is difficult to understand at the moment if it is possible to do that.”

Bautista though is predicting a close and competitive battle for the 2012 MotoGP world title and he is expecting compatriots Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa to push reigning champion Casey Stoner closer this year.

He added: “Stoner is very strong and Lorenzo and Yamaha want to be number one again. And Dani wants to win at least one championship in MotoGP, so this year it will be very competitive.”