From a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha:

YAMAHA RIDERS COMPLETE SUCCESSFUL POST-RACE TEST IN LE MANS

After finishing second and fourth respectively in yesterday’s French Grand Prix, Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha riders Carlos Checa and Valentino Rossi stayed on at the Le Mans circuit for a one day test today. With just over two weeks to go before the fourth round of the 2004 World Championship in Italy on June 6, the team took advantage of the good weather to work on race settings and try to solve some of the set-up problems that Rossi experienced over the weekend.

A total of ten riders stayed on to test today, Ducati rider Troy Bayliss topping the unofficial time sheets with a lap of 1:33.50 – just a fraction of a second off the pole-position time set on Saturday by race-winner Sete Gibernau. Reigning World Champion Rossi was only just slower, recording a best time of 1:33.58. Max Biaggi, third in yesterday’s race on the Honda, was third fastest with a time of 1:33.86, while Checa continued his consistent weekend form, setting a lap of 1:34.08 in fourth place.

Speaking about today’s test, Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team Director Davide Brivio said: “After the race yesterday we decided to stay one extra day to try to analyse with Valentino what happened yesterday, and to try to find an alternative. We have made some progress.

“We spent the day working on race settings and have had quite a good day. We have solved some of our doubts and things worked better than yesterday. We have tried some different ideas and got some good information so now we are looking towards Mugello with a little more confidence.

“After three races in very different conditions and situations and with different results, we felt it was important to take this time to analyse where we are at.

“Carlos had a very good race yesterday, but even so it was important today to try some different things. We have collected some good information today and now Carlos is looking forward to the next race.”

The team now heads home to enjoy its longest break since the start of the season and will reconvene at Mugello in two weeks time for the Italian Grand Prix; Rossi’s home race. Early June will be a busy time for both riders, as Mugello is followed immediately by Checa’s local Grand Prix at the Montmelo circuit in Catalunya.

TIMES:

1. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:33.50
2. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, 1:33.58
3. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:33.86
4. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 1:34.08
5. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:34.16
6. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:34.18
7. Alex Barros, Honda, 1:34.32
8. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 1:34.86
9. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 1:34.86
10. Shinya Nakano, Kawasaki, 1:35.05


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

Private tests at Le Mans.

Max and Makoto on track as they prepare for Mugello race

Today was a day of intense tests for the Camel Honda team, as they began preparations for the Italian Grand Prix, the next round of the MotoGP World Championship. The conditions at Le Mans today were similar to what can be expected at Mugello at the start of June – with ambient temperatures of 29ºC and track temperatures touching 48ºC. Max and Makoto completed 89 and 76 laps respectively, completing an intense programme of work.

On a separate note Camel Honda were proud to welcome a new partner to their 2004 MotoGP project at the French GP this weekend, with the announcement of a new agreement with Repsol. As a part of the new agreement the Spanish oil company will provide Max Biaggi with its specially prepared high performance racing products while the Repsol brand name will be displayed on his RC211V for the remaining races of the 2004 season.

Sito Pons – Camel Honda (Team Principal)
“Today was a really positive test which has allowed us to make the best possible preparations for the next race at Mugello. It is a race we are all looking forward to, where it will be imperative to be protagonists – Max’s home race. So today’s test was particularly important to refine our preparations. Meanwhile, we are very pleased to announce the renewal of the partnership, after many years working together in the past, with Repsol which will guarantee the provision of the highest quality racing products, specifically designed for our RC211V, to cover all our technical requirements”.

Max Biaggi – Camel Honda (Michelin tyres) – 89 laps – 1:33.8
“We’ve done a lot of work, focussing on improving in several areas, in particular to make the bike more stable in certain conditions. We have tried a few different solutions with the electronics which have solved a major part of the problems and, above all, given us better traction. I have also done some endurance testing, working on the consistency of the bike with different front suspension settings and I am satisfied. We know which way we have to go now and the tyre tests have also given the results I was hoping for so I am very satisfied”.

Makoto Tamada – Camel Honda (Bridgestone tyres) –76 laps – 1:34.8
“I am tired but happy. Today we have worked really hard on our choice of tyres for the Italian Grand Prix. I can say that the feeling with the bike is really good and the base set-up that we have found is satisfactory. So today’s test, in weather conditions which should be very similar to those we find in Mugello, has been the perfect “bench test” to choose the best tyres for the race and that’s why I didn’t go for a fast time”.