Blusens Moto2 bike tested in Valencia

The Spanish-based Blusens squad created a slice of history for itself in Valencia this week when it became the first team to track test a new 600cc bike for the Moto2 class.

Dani Rivas tested the new bike, which is powered by a Honda CBR600RR motor, after an initial shakedown earlier this week.

• Get all the latest MotoGP news

Rivas posted a best time of 1.36.8 during his 90-lap stint, which was just 0.1s slower than the best time clocked by reigning 250GP world champion Marco Simoncelli on his factory Gilera machine last week.

Rivas, who hadn’t ridden since last November, said: “I was pleasantly surprised with the behaviour of the bike. It is really good on the brakes and it is very fast in the corners being 25 kilos lighter than a Supersport bike.

“The tyre felt really good too even though they haven’t been developed for this type of bike. The Honda engine feels really good too with lots of power and it feels good at the top and bottom of the range.”

The bike will be tested again next month and the Blusens team, which runs British sensation Scott Redding in the 125GP world championship, is hoping to race the bike in the Spanish championship during 2009.

The new Moto2 class is not due to start as replacement for the current two-stroke 250GP class until the 2011 season, but the four-stroke 600s are likely to race in a split class next year.