Walker goes faster than Bayliss

Chris Walker has set a time in testing, which is faster than Troy Bayliss managed on the same bike this time last year.

Walker was testing at Almeria in Spain, and recorded a time of 1:36.9s That time on the 998RS FO2 is half a second quicker than Bayliss managed last year. Walker set the time despite lingering pain from his broken leg.

Walker said: ” I am really, really happy with the way things have gone. My priority was to stay on the bike, not aggravate my injuries and get to know the bike better. And I managed all of that.

” I am getting more confident on the bike each time I ride it and it’s only a shame James couldn’t have been out there to keep pushing me faster but despite that I am really pleased with the progress we were able to make.

James Toseland was forced to end the test early as the hand he damaged in a massive highside at Valencia a few days earlier proved too painful to ride with.

For more from the Almeria test, and all the latest news from pre-season testing, read Motor Cycle News, January 29.

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