From a press release issued by Aprilia, which did not mention Colin Edwards’ huge crash on the Aprilia RS Cube:

2003 riders and the Aprilia RS Cube get their first taste of the track.

Next year’s Aprilia riders on the official RS Cube make their circuit debut. This is the very first time out for American ace Colin Edwards on the three-cylinder from Noale, while Noriyuki Haga is getting back to grips with the RS3 machine he had a chance to test on the Valencia track in the early autumn. As might have been expected for his first day out on a bike he had never been on before, Colin Edwards spent the day finding the best position on the saddle: the most comfortable and best suited to his style of riding, attempting to get the best possible feeling with the bike and with the team he will be working with in the forthcoming world championship. With the help of ideal weather conditions, the riders clocked up a number of laps and Noriyuki Haga, who had already got some initial ideas about the Cube in the Valencia tests, concentrated on working out some more advanced settings for the bike. Tyre manufacturer Michelin made its debut on the bikes from the Racing Department of Noale. The company will now be working with Aprilia on the company’s most important project. This first, long series of tests will thus be of vital importance for the technicians who will be able to gather enormous amounts of data to make the very most of their cooperation with Michelin. The tests are due to carry on until Wednesday this week: the programme is truly intense and will help establish the work methods to be adopted for the racing season next year.