From a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

MotoGP pre-season IRTA Tests
Saturday 22 February 2003 (day 2 of 3)
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain

CHECA AND MELANDRI HINDERED BY RAIN IN SPAIN

Poor weather conditions affected the second day of the Jerez IRTA tests in Spain today, soaking the track in the morning so much that it didn’t fully dry by the end of the day. Thirteen of the fifteen MotoGP riders present ventured out. Fortuna Yamaha Team rider Marco Melandri completed a total of just thirteen laps in the wet conditions while team-mate Carlos Checa chose to wait until the weather improves to ride his latest evolution of the Yamaha YZR-M1.

Team Director Davide Brivio commented: “We are not too worried to have lost one day as we still have some time to prepare for the first race. Carlos didn’t go out because the track still wasn’t totally dry. He has already tested in wet conditions so it’s better that he doesn’t take any risks this close to the start of the Championship. There isn’t much point him testing now unless he can push the bike to its maximum limit. Marco did some laps to get used to the wet because he still needs to practice this on the M1.”

Spaniard Checa recorded the second fastest time of 1:43.2 in yesterday’s action, and Italian Melandri recorded the fifth fastest time of 1:43.8. Better weather conditions are forecast for tomorrow’s action.

LAP TIMES (WET CONDITIONS)
1. Shinya Nakano, D’Antin Yamaha 1:45.214

2. Troy Bayliss, Ducati Marlboro Team 1:45.640

3. Colin Edwards, Alice Aprilia Racing 1:47.982

4. Loris Capirossi, Ducati Marlboro Team, 1:48.091

5. Garry McCoy, Fuchs Kawasaki Racing 1:48.263

6. Noriyuki Haga, Alice Aprilia Racing 1:48.314

7. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki Grand Prix 1:48.488

8. John Hopkins, Suzuki Grand Prix 1:48.709

9. Alex Hoffman, Fuchs Kawasaki Racing 1:48.875

10. Andrew Pitt, Fuchs Kawasaki Racing 1:49.851

Marco Melandri, Fortuna Yamaha Team 1:56.7 (13 laps)



More, from a press release issued by D’Antin Yamaha:

YAMAHA D’ANTIN TESTS, JEREZ
February 22, 2003

NAKANO FASTEST RIDER OF THE SECOND DAY
Most of the winter tests celebrated in Jerez circuit had the same protagonist, the rain. In this second day of IRTA test, and confirming the forecast rain has appeared in the morning and no team had been able to test how they would like. In the afternoon the track was getting dry and the riders could take more track time.

Yamaha d’Antín team rider, Shinya Nakano has completed fifteen laps in the morning session, but with wet tarmac he didn’t managed to ride comfortable. Some riders as Brazilian Alex Barros (Yamaha) –the fastest yesterday- decided not to go out this afternoon. And in the last two hours, Nakano put on his leathers, taking advance of drying tarmac. In just five laps he has bettered his morning lap times in almost six seconds and has finished the session with a best lap of 1:45.214. The best lap time of the day.

“The conditions today weren’t so good. In the morning was raining heavily, later it stopped and when the track was drying, more rain. In the afternoon was better, but the track surface wasn’t completely dry and some parts were wet,” said the Japanese, who will start this year his third season in the premier class. “I’m happy because we have found good setting for the rear end that improve grip and turning. It has been a strange day, and although I’ve get the fastest lap time we have to consider that this afternoon too much rider didn’t go out. Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”

Forecast for Sunday are not so optimistic and everything says that the weather will be similar as today.