Brno, 17 August: Boosted by the arrival of new parts from HRC, Honda LCR rider Carlos Checa finished the opening day of practice for the Czech Grand Prix in a positive mood. While the Spanish rider took some time to adapt back a MotoGP bike after his recent outing in the Suzuka Eight Hour, he finished 12th overall today.

Checa is running a new exhaust system and updated engine specification for the first time this weekend, and is impressed by improved power delivery and top speed. Today’s practice and qualifying sessions were run in unusually cool conditions with a track temperature of just 29 degrees.

CHECA: Twelfth overall - 1’59.857

CHECA: “In morning practice I took time to adapt back to the Honda RC212V after racing a Fireblade Superbike in the 8 Hour -- it was like trying on a new glove. But the afternoon was much more positive, the new exhaust and latest engine spec from HRC, with more RPM, is much better-- both for bottom end response and top speed. Now we must work on a chassis and tyre set-up and strategy for qualifying and the race, I still lack some front feeling on maximum lean angle. ”

In 250cc class, Eugene Laverty is confident of a much better performance tomorrow after an unlucky opening day of practice and qualifying at Brno.

LAVERTY: “Not a good day, the Italians tell me Friday the 17th is unlucky and I’ve done just five laps in the dry today. The bike feels strong here but I got knocked-off by Alex Espargaro in free practice after three laps and then the rain came in the qualifying session.”