The Repsol riders are testing their new bikes in Jerez, the ones they will use in the 2008 season The Repsol 250cc. and 125cc. riders Julián Simón and Esteve Rabat have started the 2008 pre-season today with their first ride at the circuit of Jerez. The first day was used to get the Repsol riders used to their new Austrian bikes, the aim being to get as good a starting base as quickly as possible. The day started a little late seeing as it was their first contact with their new bikes, as time was spent getting the bikes ready; starting with the position of the handlebars and footrests, and even the mechanics had to adapt their knowledge to the new characteristics of the KTM. Around midday and with a mild temperature, Julián Simón and Esteve Rabat did their first few kilometres on what will be their work tools next season. For Simón the day was quite positive and he was satisfied with the potential shown by the KTM as it is a good base to start with but there is a bit of room for improvement. Over the two days that are left for training he will try to get a good set up on the chassis, the most important point to be improved. At the same time he said he was happy with the performance of the engine, the main problem in most of last year`s races. After 74 laps Rabat was also pleased with his day`s work training on the KTM 125cc machine. The Repsol rider also mentioned the higher level of power on the KTM compared to last year`s Honda, at the same time he emphasised the fact that the team must find the best compromise on the chassis so he feels comfortable as quickly as possible. Marc Márquez, the new rider who and Rabat`s teammate, still has not joined the team as he is participating in the Spanish Championship, there is one race left, this weekend in Jerez. Quotes 250cc Julián Simón, 1’46.0 secs. 58 laps, 257 Km. “This was my first time on the KTM. We began a little late, several modifications had to be made to the bike, and so the mechanics could learn how the new bike works. I went off the track once when I was trying to get used to it, and then I realised that the engine power is higher than on last year`s bike. On the other hand at the moment I have a few problems with the chassis, mainly when entering curves. But we are going to be changing my position on the bike since I am not totally comfortable. For the first day obviously the times are bit slow, but right now I had not thought about that too much. Tomorrow I will carry on getting used to the bike`s characteristics, above all the chassis. Moreover, with help from the mechanics, who are very good professionals as well as KTM, I am sure that we will finish these sessions not with good times but with confidence in the bike, which is after all our objective.” 125cc Esteve Rabat, 1’49.30 secs. 74 laps, 327 Km. “Today was the first day and the truth is that I was dying to get on this new bike. I was testing the whole day, trying to get used to it as it is different to the Honda and we had to change a few things so that I could get more and more comfortable. The riding position is a little different, but it is something that we will have to get used to quickly. In general everything was positive, the simple fact of being here testing the bike today in Jerez is very positive, although we will have to improve quite a lot, above all some aspects of the chassis, as I have not got the right compromise between riding comfortably and entering curves with the right amount of confidence. The bike is quite a lot faster.”