How do 1000s compare to the 800s

Now MotoGP has completed its transformation from 800 to 1000cc, how do the lap times between the different bikes compare using Valencia and the post-season test as a benchmark..

Yesterday, Dani Pedrosa was the quickest 1000 on his Honda RC213V setting a time of 1:32.186.

To find the quickest time from the outgoing 800 era you have to look at his current Repsol Honda team-mate, Casey Stoner, but it wasn't set on a Honda. Stoner's record was set on the Ducati Desmosedici in 2008; the Australian circulated the Ricardo Tormo track in 1:32.582.

The best lap ever around the Spanish circuit was set by Valentino Rossi, way back in 2006 on the Michelin-shod 990 Yamaha. The nine-time champion lapped the track in 1:31.002, but it is worthwhile to note that this outright fastest time was set before the introduction of Bridgestone control tyres.

Overall, looking at the times the 1000s are up on Stoner's fastest 800 time by nearly four tenths of a second, but still just over a second off Rossi's outright record on the 990.

By Robin Goodwin