From a press release issued by Gauloises Yamaha:

Sepang, Malaysia
Monday, January 24, 2005
Ambient temperature: 40 degrees
Track temperature: 52 degrees
Humidity: 40%

ROSSI AND EDWARDS PLEASED WITH PROGRESS AT MALAYSIAN TEST

Gauloises Yamaha Team riders Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards completed a second day of testing in hot and humid Sepang today on their new 2005-specification YZR-M1s, both improving on the times they set yesterday. It was hard work for the entire team, as temperatures reached a maximum of 40 degrees during the day, but both riders finished the day satisfied with the job they had done and now look forward to making more progress during tomorrow’s final day of testing.

Rossi and Edwards continued from where they left off yesterday, once again spending the day refining settings on their M1s and trying to find the best way to develop the new version of the bike, as well as testing a variety of Michelin tyres. According to the unofficial lap times, Ducati rider Loris Capirossi was the fastest man on the track for the second day running, setting a time of 2:01.99, whilst Rossi was second fastest once again, completing 55 laps with a best time of 2:02.16. He was followed by Alex Barros (Honda, 2:02.30), Max Biaggi (Honda, 2:02.35), seemingly well recovered from a broken leg sustained in November, and Kenny Roberts (Suzuki, 2:02.38). Rossi’s Yamaha team-mate Colin Edwards completed 62 laps and was sixth fastest with a time of 2:02.48.

Valentino Rossi, (2:02.16, 55 laps)
“I am quite happy with the work we’ve done today. We worked on suspension and set-up and the bike gave us some good data and a good feeling. Yesterday we went the wrong way with some things but today we’ve made some modifications and we’ve found the right way forward. We’ve worked mainly on making the bike more agile; trying to make it more like the 2004 bike in this area, and we had a really good run of improvements this morning.”

Colin Edwards (2:02.48, 62 laps)
“We sorted out our first-day teething problems and I’m feeling much happier about everything. I’m so tired tonight, but we knew we’d have to work hard! Overnight we had some ideas and they seem to have worked; now it feels like we’re going in the right direction. The most important thing is confidence in the front of the bike and I had more today. Overall now it doesn’t feel so different from the old bike and the whole package is good. Tomorrow we’ll play around some more, probably do a race simulation and hopefully make some more improvements.”

Davide Brivio, Gauloises Yamaha Team Director
“It was a productive day for both riders. We spent a lot of time testing tyres for Michelin and we made a good job of this. Before that we were able to improve the bike settings compared to yesterday, so we are on the way. Tomorrow is the final day so we hope that we can continue this work and finish on a good note.”

Unofficial Lap Times:
1. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) 2:01.99
2. VALENTINO ROSSI (YAMAHA) 2:02.16
3. Alex Barros (Honda) 2:02.30
4. Max Biaggi (Honda) 2:02 35
5. Kenny Roberts (Suzuki) 2:02 38
6. COLIN EDWARDS (YAMAHA) 2:02.48


More, from a press release issued by Camel Honda:

Camel Honda Team continue to work in perfect harmony

The second day of tests in Malaysia saw the whole of the Camel Honda set-up working seamlessly together during the allowed track-time as they put their new riders’ requests into place. Although Troy Bayliss decided to reject the chance to test new tyres so that he could continue his gradual adaptation to the new bike, he bettered his best time from yesterday by nearly a second despite having a set-up he is still dissatisfied with. Alex Barros meanwhile carried out some intense testing on a wide range of tyres provided by Michelin, to improve their performance in extreme weather conditions, such as those found in Malaysia.

Ramon Forcada – Camel Honda – (Alex Barros’s Technical Director)
“Today we carried out a series of very tough tests, because testing front tyres – of which some are made of a new compound – requires the ultimate in focus. I think that we’ve done a good job alongside the Michelin technicians today, which will be very useful when we get back here within less than three weeks. Alex also was quick throughout the day, and always amongst the fastest out on track; once again his fastest lap came on race tyres, and he went back underneath the track record. Unless we get any more test requests from the French technicians, we won’t use the softer tyres at all tomorrow, because a one-off fast lap with qualifying tyres is not our aim at this moment in time.”

Alex Barros – Camel Honda – 2:02.307 (77 laps)
“Today was another great day of work, very productive and very intense. I tested something like 12 new front tyres! The objective was to give some feedback to all of Michelin so they can prepare a new series of front tyres for the test back here in Sepang in a couple of weeks. Tomorrow perhaps we will work on some rear rubbers. Only towards the end of the day did I make some little refinements to the set-up of the forks, but it wasn’t much really. “

Santiago Mulero – Camel Honda (Troy Bayliss’s Technical Director)
“The modifications we tested today, which aimed to improve traction and the behaviour of Troy’s bike on the brakes didn’t give us the results we wanted, but we have already decided down which route we will go tomorrow. Using the data we collected today from both riders we will try to make Troy’s adaptation to the RC211V a little easier, and will try to make the settings more suitable to his style of riding.”

Troy Bayliss – Camel Honda – 2:03.918 (52 laps)
“It was quite a tough day today, because although I lowered my best time, I didn’t feel completely at ease in the saddle. I’ve gone a bit off course at the moment, but seeing as that at Jerez the bike went really well and also the other Hondas are already pretty well set up here, there’s no real reason why we shouldn’t be able to get back on track.”


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

MotoGP winter test Sepang, Malaysia. Day two of three-day test, January 24,
2005.

Honda riders up the work rate on day two of Sepang MotoGP test.

The Honda teams and riders worked hard on the second day of the MotoGP winter test at Sepang, Malaysia, gathering valuable technical information on chassis and suspension settings on their Honda RC211V five-cylinder 990cc machines in combination with various Michelin tyres.

Repsol Honda factory team riders Max Biaggi and Nicky Hayden worked on every aspect of chassis performance. Italian Biaggi running through
everything on the HRC test schedule for the day suspension changes and machine balance chief among them, and all on 2004 season race tyres.
Teammate Hayden concentrating of the front suspension in the morning before moving on suspension and tyre combinations.

The Telefonica MoviStar Honda team riders worked on different aspects of RCV performance. Spaniard Sete Gibernau working on chassis settings and suspension-tyre combinations while teammate Marco Melandri continued his
acclimatisation with the V5 Honda tying various new 2005 engine parts and settings. The young Italian is trying to get as many laps under his belt as possible in his step by step approach to mastering his new mount.

Alex Barros (Camel Honda) spent the entire day testing front tyres. The Brazilian tried no less than 10 front covers during the day. Barros’
teammate, Troy Bayliss has yet to find a base setting he is comfortable with. Try as he might the Australian ended the day frustrated with his lack of progress.

In contrast Makoto Tamada enjoyed his day testing Michelin tyres. Tamada’s previous grand prix experience has been with Bridgestone equipped RC211V machines. The Japanese star has gained great confidence from the Michelin
technology and is looking forward to the new season.


HONDA TEAM QUOTES:

Max Biaggi – Repsol Honda: 2:02.35 – 43 laps. “There must be a mistake. I was not expecting to ride this fast right after the injury and more on the last year’s bike. We scored excellent laps even if we were not working for it. I really like the team spirit. HRC people are very motivated to do good. Erv Kanemoto and my crew chief Hideki Iwano are collecting precious information for the new bike and I’m so happy to have two perfectionists like them on my side. Furthermore, Repsol orange really makes me want to ride.”

Nicky Hayden – Repsol Honda: 2:02.49 – 81 laps: “Not a bad day. We spent a lot of time testing a bunch of new Michelins and found some stuff we really liked. Both fronts and a few rears that really seemed to give some pretty good grip levels. We looked at testing several different suspension settings with the Showa guys and basically it all went pretty well. It was nice to see some lower laps times today; not yet where I want but definitely a step in the right direction.”

Erv Kanemoto, Repsol Honda Team Technical Director: “Personally I need to get up to speed fast with the RC211V. I need to completely understand the machine and the minute effects that the changes we make to it have on the package. I am looking and learning at the moment – there is really no point my making any major changes until I have gathered much more data but I am encouraged by what we have achieved in a short time. I am under no
illusions – we have a lot of work to do but we have a very strong spirit in the team and we have a big goal.”

Sete Gibernau, Telefonica MoviStar Honda: 2:02.2 – 60 laps: “That was a much better day than yesterday. We have worked very hard myself the team and HRC, we have to gather as much information as possible. We have been mainly working on the chassis cornering, stability and suspension while using many types of tyres. We are satisfied, it was a difficult days work and I hope all the work pays off in the future.”

Marco Melandri ,Telefonica MoviStar Honda: 2:02.70 – 69 laps: “I’m quite happy now. After lunchtime I lost a little feeling from he front end and I didn’t understand why, so I went into the pit. After about 45 minutes I went out again with pretty much the same set up and the good feeling I had with the bike in the morning was coming back. I have been testing some 2005 engine parts ready for the new bike, just for familiarisation. These winter tests are very important for me. I have to get used to the power delivery of the bike so I’m taking things step by step. Many riders go fast in winter testing but you can’t win a world title for winter testing.”

Alex Barros, Camel Honda: 2:02.30: “Today was another great day of work, very productive and very intense. I tested something like 12 new front tyres! The objective was to give some feedback to all of Michelin so they can prepare a new series of front tyres for the test back here in Sepang in a couple of weeks. Tomorrow perhaps we will work on some rear rubbers. Only
towards the end of the day did I make some little refinements to the set-up of the forks, but it wasn’t much really.”

Ramon Forcada , Camel Honda , (Alex Barros’s Technical Director) : “Today we carried out a series of very tough tests, because testing front tyres – of which some are made of a new compound – requires the ultimate in focus. I think that we’ve done a good job alongside the Michelin technicians today, which will be very useful when we get back here within less than
three weeks. Alex also was quick throughout the day, and always amongst the fastest out on track; once again his fastest lap came on race tyres, and he went back underneath the track record. Unless we get any more test requests
from the French technicians, we won’t use the softer tyres at all tomorrow, because a one-off fast lap with qualifying tyres is not our aim at this moment in time.”

Troy Bayliss – Camel Honda: 2:03.91: “It was quite a tough day today, because although I lowered my best time, I didn’t feel completely at ease in the saddle. I’ve gone a bit off course at the moment, but seeing as that at Jerez the bike went really well and also the other Hondas are already pretty well set up here, there’s no real reason why we shouldn’t be able to get back on track.”

Santiago Mulero, Camel Honda (Troy Bayliss’s Technical Director): “The modifications we tested today, which aimed to improve traction and the behaviour of Troy’s bike on the brakes didn’t give us the results we wanted, but we have already decided down which route we will go tomorrow. Using the data we collected today from both riders we will try to make Troy’s adaptation to the RC211V a little easier, and will try to make the settings more suitable to his style of riding.”

Makoto Tamada – Konica Minolta Honda: 2:02.69: “Again I found the Bridgestone and Michelin tyres to be so different. Once I realised that the Michelin’s are sliding at the high speed at high-speed corners I really like the way they slide. I set a time of 2:02.70 but the tyre didn’t last too long. I can see I must work hard riding on worn out tyres because at
the end of the race this will be very important. Today I tried many, many tyres but didn’t do too many laps on any of them. If I find a good set of
tyres tomorrow I will run an endurance test. Out on the track I didn’t meet too many other riders. One time I was behind Valentino but he soon went into the pit. I was sad because I wanted to follow him for comparison.”


More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing Team:

HEAT WAVE LEADS TO HOT LAPS FOR KAWASAKI IN SEPANG

With heat wave on-track temperatures soaring to 58 degrees, Kawasaki factory riders Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann completed a day of gruelling, but productive, testing at Sepang today.

This was day two of the opening pre-season test in advance of the 2005 MotoGP season.

Tyre testing for Kawasaki’s technical partner Bridgestone was the focus of today’s workout and the brutal track conditions proved ideal for that programme.

A range of new construction, shapes and compounds are being evaluated by Bridgestone and Kawasaki engineers, to obtain data that will be the basis of the 2005 race tyre options.

Both Nakano and Hofmann rode a base set-up on 2004 model 990cc, Ninja ZX-RR machines, to provide a constant point of comparison on various tyre specifications.

In the morning session Hofmann also continued with set-up work on the new 2005 chassis, which is in the early stages of evaluation. With another five test sessions scheduled before the first race of the season, Kawasaki’s Technical Coordinator, Naoya Kaneko, is confident that the latest evolution of the Ninja ZX-RR will deliver increased performance in race conditions.

Today Nakano ran a total of 61 laps with a best time of 2:03.4, while Hofmann completed 58 laps of the 5.5km Sepang circuit. Both riders were impressed by the performance and development direction of the new Bridgestone tyres.

Hofmann’s time was 2.7s faster than his best race lap in last October’s Malaysian GP at this track, while Nakano was 0.8s quicker than his previous best race lap at Sepang.

Tomorrow’s third and final day of the Sepang test will see further evaluation of Bridgestone tyres and continued set-up work on the 2005 chassis.

Shinya Nakano: #56
“I’m very happy with today’s tyre test because, obviously, Bridgestone have done a lot of work over the winter. I concentrated on rear tyres using a base set-up with the ’04 Ninja ZX-RR chassis and motor, and found improved forward drive and endurance levels with some of the new construction tyres. The conditions were hot, but it was perfect for tyre testing and I felt much better on the bike today; I found the first day of testing a little difficult. Now I’m looking forward to trying the new front Bridgestone tyres tomorrow and doing more work with the 2005 prototype chassis.”

Alex Hofmann: #66
“That was hot work today. It is a big change in climate coming from winter in Switzerland to this test, but I’m enjoying being back on the bike. The 2004 chassis was our strength last year, so that gave me a good base to work from in evaluating the new Bridgestone tyres. The rears show improved traction and durability, and I like the feel of new front rubber. I think we can be very positive about our tyre potential this season. I did some laps on the ’05 bike in the morning but we need more time to maximise the set-up; at the moment I don’t feel a big difference from the ’04 chassis.”

Naoya Kaneko: Technical Coordinator
“Our plan for today was to do a lot of work with Bridgestone, to provide data and information for race tyre development in advance of the first race. For this reason both Shinya and Alex used the 2004 model ZX-RR chassis, because we understand this bike and set-up for Sepang. The new 2005 frame has great potential, but we still have a lot of work to do over the next three months. Alex tried the new bike in the morning session, but stopped early with a small motor problem. In the afternoon both riders completed a very positive tyre test, especially in terms of endurance with the new specification rear tyres.”


More, from a press release issued by Telefonica Movistar Honda:

GOOD START FOR TEAM TELEFONICA MOVISTAR HONDA

Sete Gibernau and Marco Melandri carry on the pre-season test in preparation of the 2005 championship

MotoGP test Sepang, Malaysia. Day two, January 24, 2005.

Despite the hot conditions (over 35 degree the air temperature and 56°C the maximum temperature of the asphat) the Telefonica MoviStar Honda Team carried on a hard job testing until 06.00 p.m. Sete Gibernau, together with his team, focused on gathering valuable technical information, testing many different stuff in order to create a basis of work for the new season while team mate Marco Melandri continued his acclimatisation with the V5 Honda tying various settings. The young Italian is trying to get as many laps as possible in his step by step approach to the RC211V.

Sete Gibernau – 2:02.1, 62 laps:
“Today we decided to stop working with the transponders in order to carry on the program scheduled for today with less interruptions. Today we tested a lot of material, it is all 2004 stuff that we are testing in order to understand what helps us, this is an essential job to create the standard bike on which we can work for the 2005.

I’m happy of my lap time, a rider always looks for a fast time but at the moment I’m focused on another kind of job that doesn’t allow me to take the right rhythm for a fast time: every time I go on track with some new material and 4 laps in a row are not enough to take the pace and make a fast lap. But I’m working in preparation of the whole season, I’m satisfied with my way of working, it worked well for me in the past two seasons.”


Marco Melandri – 2:02.79, 63 laps:
“I’m satisfied with the work done today, my feeling with the bike is improving lap by lap. This morning I had a good feeling with the bike and I lapped with a good pace. This afternoon we made some modifications to the bike that ended up for making us loosing the direction so in the end of the day we put the morning setting and my feeling improved immediately. I’m happy with my lap time, I think I have quite a good rhythm and in this moment I prefer to work in race condition, with full tank so that I can better understand the bike and its reactions.”


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

Superb first test for Team Suzuki MotoGP

TEAM SUZUKI MOTOGP has completed its first test of the year at Sepang in Malaysia, with both racers Kenny Roberts Jr and John Hopkins showing plenty of pre-season promise.

The four day test held at the hot and humid Malaysian circuit, where track temperatures rose to over 60 degrees Celsius, gave technicians and riders plenty of time to experiment with the changes made to the GSV-R’s engine and chassis in the closed season. The changes have seen a marked increase in both power and handling capabilities which were evident on the fast and demanding Sepang track.

Roberts Jr and Hopper were both on the pace and happy with the progress made by the Suzuki engineers on the GSV-R, code named XRE2.3.

Technical partners Bridgestone and Motul were present throughout the test days providing new rubber compounds and oil for the team to evaluate.

This was the first time the team had assembled under new manager Paul Denning who is still fresh from his success in the British Superbike Championship with Rizla Suzuki. A strong bond is already forming between existing and new crew members.

Team Suzuki MotoGP returns to Sepang for a further test on February 9th, the second in its gruelling pre-season schedule before the MotoGP World Championship begins at Jerez in Spain on April 10th.

Kenny Roberts Jr

“It was great to be back out on my GSV-R again, but to be honest this one has a completely different performance potential. The guys have certainly made some changes and I believe we are on the way to being a force to be reckoned with this season. Sure there is still a lot to do-and everyone knows it-but for me this is the best start to a season for several years.”

John Hopkins

“This was a good work-out for the team and me, it was nice to start working with all the guys again. I’m really excited about all the GSV-R’s changes, the jump in performance since the end of last season is the biggest I’ve experienced while riding for Suzuki and I’m certainly looking forward to the next test.

“My body is less than perfect right now and the GSV-R needs to improve further, but I really think we can be part of the fast gang in 2005.”

Paul Denning

“After all the waiting it is very encouraging to have got the first test completed. Suzuki has done a great job with the engine performance over the winter and the assistance this weekend from Bridgestone, Motul and all other technical partners has been fantastic. The signs are there that we are on the right route and we are working hard to make the GSV-R the best it can possibly be.

“I’d like to thank the Factory engineers, all four riders, including Nobu and Akiyoshi-San and all the crew for their hard work and great attitude during this crucial first test.”


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DESMOSEDICI GP5 MAKES FURTHER PROGRESS

Ducati Marlboro Team hard at work on second day of testing at Sepang. Capirossi, the only rider of the team on track, again sets quickest time
in 2:01.98.

Sepang (Malaysia), 24 January 2005 – Today was another positive day of non-stop testing for Loris Capirossi, while Carlos Checa was unable to
test the Desmosedici GP5 due to the condition of his injured hand. The Italian rider, who continued the development work on the new bike,
completed 60 laps of the Sepang circuit in sweltering conditions (track temperature 56°).

“Today was another excellent day for Loris, confirming that the GP5 has already reached a good level, and so is Loris’s confidence with the new Bridgestone tyres”, declared Livio Suppo, Ducati MotoGP project manager.
“Unfortunately Carlos wasn’t feeling well this morning, he had a big headache and we preferred to let him rest for the whole day. It’s nothing serious, just a severe bout of flu, probably due to his overall condition following his hand injury, which however is improving, and tomorrow we hope he will join Loris on the track”.

“It’s a real pleasure to be able to work in this way, a great satisfaction and an important boost”, declared Loris Capirossi. “We got though a lot of work and tested several different set-ups, and were able to confirm that the chassis is performing well. We also made another step forward with the Bridgestone tyres, in particular with the front which is perfect. Now we have to concentrate on the rear tyre, in order
to be competitive over race distance. Tomorrow will be another day of hard work but for the moment I’m really satisfied with everything: A big thanks to everyone in Ducati Corse, they’ve done an excellent job.”

“I was a bit disappointed to see everyone else out on the track but today I was unable to test because I had a massive headache”, declared
Carlos Checa. “Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be better and I can go out again. In any case, seeing Loris’s superb performance makes me feel a lot
better and it confirms that we are going to go a long way with the new GP5 project.”

Loris Capirossi 2:01.98


More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

FORTUNA YAMAHA CONTINUE THEIR TEST PROGRAMME AT SEPANG

Fortuna Yamaha riders Toni Elías and Rubén Xaus continued their testing programme at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia today as planned. Weather conditions were again on the side of the Spanish pair, who were able to spend the majority of the day racking up the kilometres and learning more about their Yamaha YZR-M1 machines.

The best time of the day was again set by Loris Capirossi (Ducati), who is also testing alongside several other MotoGP teams in Sepang. Loris set a quickest lap of 2:01.9, whilst Toni Elías (Fortuna Yamaha) clocked 2:03.2 after 51 laps despite the injury to his right hand, suffered yesterday. His team-mate Rubén Xaus set a best time of 2:03.4 after 62 laps, having crashed early in the session without injury.

Toni Elías and Rubén Xaus will complete their third and final day of tests tomorrow before returning to Europe.

Toni Elías, (2:03.20) 51 laps

“Much better! Yesterday we were basically riding to get used to the M1 and solve a few aspects related to the bike and my physical condition. Today we were able to adjust the engine braking a little more and the suspension, which helped me to feel much more comfortable on the M1. All that with my injured little finger! It hurts a lot and to be honest this morning I thought I would only be able to manage a couple of laps. The company that makes my gloves came up with something that allowed me to go out and ride and my right glove is actually two sizes bigger than my left! In general I feel really at home with the team. Nobody is putting pressure on me and bit by bit we’re getting better – tomorrow hopefully more so!”

Rubén Xaus (2:03.40) 62 laps

“In the afternoon everything went much better. With not knowing the M1 and everybody wanting to try different things – especially me – we got a bit lost. After the crash the Yamaha engineers came to the box and told us to start from scratch again. It was the right decision because in the afternoon I felt much more comfortable and the M1 ran much better, allowing me to set the lap of 2:03.4. I carried on riding without really testing anything because the most important thing right now is to adapt and get to know the YZR M1”.