Valencia test concluded on Tuesday

Mika Kallio, who joined the Italian Italtrans Moto2 team a week ago, finished his second off-season test at Valencia Ricardo Tormo circuit on Tuesday.

Two-day test, which was targeted to both Moto2- and Moto3 -classes, was also the second time for Kallio to ride with his Italtrans bike and his first time to test new 2015 Kalex machine.

- At the first day here I was still riding with 2014 version, because testing time at Jerez was so limited due to crappy weather. But today, on the final day of testing, I was able to use our 2015 Kalex machine, Kallio said.

- I had heard that 2015 Kalex would be really good, but my own feeling with the bike was a slightly different. It didn’t really convince me, Kallio added.

Kallio, who will be riding his 14th season at MotoGP next year, stated, that 2015 Kalex differs significantly from the 2014 version.

- Frame and swingarm are different than in 2014 model, although they still look like same. Bike wasn’t easy to ride, because there was some chattering on corner entry and lack of grip, when I was accelerating out of the turns, he told.

- We made some changes to set-up during the day and changed the balance of the bike, but it’s obvious, that there is still lot to do. Even though it’s a shame that next possibility to test will be no sooner than in February.

Kallio was seventh quickest of the Moto2 riders on Tuesday. He finished 0,656 seconds behind the current World Champion, his old Marc VDS teammate Tito Rabat.

- My pace was good today, but I think that it would have been even better, if I could have ridden with 2014 bike.

- But after all, this day was still very productive. At least we know now, in which direction we need to continue with the bike.

Valencia two-day test was the last test 32-year-old Finn was attending this year. He will now enjoy the winter break and continue his working on February, after two month long testing ban is over.

MotoGP-season will begin in Qatar on 29th of March.

Photo: Motorradrennen.com

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