From an Aprilia press release:

MS Aprilia Racing Press Information

2002 MotoGP World Championship

Round 3 – Jerez de La Frontera (Spain) – 3/4/5 May 2002

MotoGP – Sunday 5 May

On the track where it made its debut in January, the RS Cube terminates the third race of its young life, once again in the points.


Régis Laconi overtaken on the last lap by two competitors after yellow flag goes up. Revised ratings put Régis and the Cube in 14th place.

The Cube passed under the chequered flag for the third time, against the magical backdrop of 127,000 spectators. After two very hard days working on the settings of his bike, Régis Laconi once more rode into the points. During the closing lap of the race, Régis was overtaken by two competitors while the track officials were flying the yellow flag. Racing regulations forbid overtaking whenever the yellow signal is up. The new ratings improve Laconi’s standing in the final classification.


# 55 Régis Laconi – (MS APRILIA RACING) – 14th – 47’42.527

“I was giving 150%, putting everything I’d got into it. I felt great on the bike, but when the race came to an end and I got off the saddle, my leg muscles were cramped and aching. I just couldn’t have given more. I was overtaken by two riders while the yellow flag was up. Three corners before the end, I saw a huge number of marshals who I thought were probably lining up to prevent a track invasion. Just after that, the yellow flag went up. I slowed down and was overtaken by the two riders behind me. I signalled this to the race officials and they quite rightly corrected the final classification. This weekend’s work wasn’t that easy, even though we did manage to find a good compromise for the race. The rear tyre was skidding out of the exits and this meant I wasn’t able to get full power out of the Cube. The next race is at Le Mans – that’s ‘home’ for me – in two weeks’ time. You can be sure I’ll be ready to go flat out again.”