WSBK

PJ Jacobsen Gives His First Impressions of MV Agusta

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PJ Jacobsen will once again be the sole American representation in World Supersport this year. The New Yorker had his first taste of his MV Agusta F3 in the dry while at the Jerez test, and came away suitably impressed by the bike that has won eight races in the hands of Jules Cluzel in recent years.

The 23-year-old tested the bike in Jerez last year in what was seen as a shootout for the ride, but on a damp track he didn’t get a real feel for the bike. 

“Today was my first day on the bike this year,” said Jacobsen. “I did half a day on the MV last November in Jerez, but it was half wet, half dry so today was good to get out there.”

“It was fully dry so I learned a lot and I’m quite happy with it. The bike is totally different to what I’ve ridden in the past, but the team works really well and they’ve impressed me.”

“The team has clearly worked really hard on the electronics over the winter and they seem pretty fixed. I’ve not had any problems with it at all today. The guys are working hard to give me everything I need and I had no issues with the electronics or the gearbox. The ‘box is different to the Honda but I like how it works.”

When asked how the bike feels compared to what he’s ridden in the past, Jacobsen threw up a surprising comparison to when he raced in British Superbikes.

“The MV reminds me of when I was riding a Superbike because you have to pick the bike up, and it doesn’t really like being on the side of the tire.”

“It’s not bad though, coming from the Honda to the MV, but the bikes are very different. The MV is very solid and doesn’t move around much, whereas the Honda was always backing into corners.” 

For many, Jacobsen is seen as the master of sliding a Supersport bike into a corner, and making it stop while sideways, but he feels that this was more a characteristic of the Honda CBR600RR rather than of his own style.

“I think that my riding style has been dictated by the Honda because Kyle Smith has the same riding style as me on the bike. Personally I’ve always thought that was how I had to ride that bike but honestly, in this class, I think the best way to ride the bike is in a straight line and not sliding it everywhere.”

Photos: © 2016 Steve English – All Rights Reserved

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