Syahrin and Baltus get to know the NTS

The first of two days of testing in Jerez literally fell into the water, but today there was every opportunity for Hafizh Syahrin and Barry Baltus to get acquainted with the NTS. The day was all about getting used to and trying new things.

For both riders it was the first time on the NTS, and vice versa the first time for NTS RW Racing GP with these riders. Although it was quite cold on the Jerez circuit and the conditions were far from ideal, Syahrin and Baltus and NTS RW Racing GP were able to do a lot of work. The Malaysian put 71 laps on the counter, the Belgian even managed to do 98.

Hafizh Syahrin: “I think it was quite a good day. It is not easy to change team and chassis. There was a lot to get used to. The NTS is new to me, the team is new to me, although I know many people for a long time already and I feel at home in the team straight away, and the way of working is new. Today we mainly focussed om improving the feeling with the bike and especially with used tires, we could make big steps. We now go into the winterbreak, which gives me the opportunity to get fit again and work on my physical condition, so we can enter the new season the best possible way.”

Barry Baltus: “It was a tough day. Certainly the first laps were not easy: the first time on the big Moto2 bike. But the feeling was getting better and better and at the end of the day, after almost 100 laps, I was feeling really good. We didn’t change much on the bike, but concentrated on my riding style and my position on the bike. I have to get rid of the Moto3 style and adapt to the Moto2 bike. A laptime of 1.44.0 is not the best possible yet, but for the moment it’s okay. Now we have to work on my physical condition in the winter to be ready for the new season.”