From a press release issued by Camel Honda Racing Information:

Bad weather yet again at Jerez IRTA tests come to an end

Max Biaggi makes best time in rain

Non-stop rain and soaking track. Jerez is unaccustomed to such weather, especially in the spring. Another tough day of tests, with very different weather from what can be expected in South Africa this coming 18 April.

Despite the bad weather, the riders fired up their engines and took to the track. Some useful laps, also for the two yellow-blue standard bearers of the Camel Honda team, Max and Makoto, who tried out settings and tyres for the rain while carrying on with their work of preparing for the race.

The technicians and riders continued working on the new materials for the RC211V and, at the end of the tests, Max Biaggi put all he had into it and posted the best time of the day.

Santi Mulero – Camel Honda (Head Technician, Max Biaggi)

“We tried to make the very best of a rainy day, working to get the settings right for the new frame when riding in the wet. The data we gathered helped us appreciate the characteristics and achieve an efficient set-up. Then we tried out the “rain” tyres, and we worked on these all afternoon. After a series of rather discontinuous days, we can say that we have at least been able to complete part of our work programme.”

Max Biaggi – Camel Honda (Michelin tyres) – 1st – 1:53.834 – 39 laps

Today we did some great work in the rain, because time is running out and the first race is looming up. It’s not easy working in these conditions and, to tell the truth, it’s also a bit risky: at about 2 o’clock, when the rain was coming down particularly hard, I went through such a puddle that my left foot slipped off the foot peg, which cut through both riding suit and skin. I didn’t even think about stopping: I just had to continue. Sure, it’s not like riding in the dry, but we were still able to do something useful to understand the new frame, first modifying one bike, then the other. It’s better in the wet than the previous one and, generally speaking, we find it has some good solutions.”

Giulio Bernardelle – Camel Honda – (Head Technician, Makoto Tamada)

“We’ve come to the end of the IRTA tests with a big backlog of work. The weather really didn’t help us and from the point of view of getting the new 2004 materials worked out, we still haven’t got all the data we need so that we can make our final choices. For us, the Friday at Welkom – the first day at the South African GP – will be a real day of tests. But today we were able to try out the new rain tyres that we’ve got from Bridgestone: we’re very satisfied and Makoto Tamada particularly likes them. New profiles and new compounds gave them a really good grip in today’s very particular conditions.”

Makoto Tamada – Camel Honda (Bridgestone tyres) – 12th – 2:02.138 – 20 laps

“Things went well with the rain tyres, and what’s great is that I’ve found a rear tyre with good grip. As regards the bike, I must say that for the moment I had a better feeling with the frame we used during the winter tests: I’ll need to clock up a few more kilometres before I can really understand and appreciate the new frame. We’ll make sure during the tests on Friday at Welkom that we can put in as many laps as possible in order to get a clear idea and to be ready for the first race of the year.”


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

RAIN RETURNS WITH A VENGEANCE AT JEREZ

The bad weather that has done so much to hamper this year’s important pre-season IRTA tests returned with a vengeance today, as torrential rain all but washed out the final day of testing at the Jerez circuit in Southern Spain.

When it became apparent that the hoped for break in the weather wasn’t going to materialise, both Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann went out to inspect the track, before making the decision not to risk injury just three weeks before the first race of the season by riding in such adverse conditions.

Instead, the Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team riders used the time today to evaluate with their crew chiefs the data collected at Catalunya and Jerez, while the team’s mechanics started the job of packing the eight tonnes of equipment that will be transported to South Africa for the opening race of the season on April 18th.

Shinya Nakano:
“We were lucky with the weather yesterday, but it was a different story today. It started raining this morning and it hasn’t stopped since. We collected a lot of wet weather data during the Catalunya test, so there was no real reason for me to go out and risk injury in such difficult conditions today. While it is a little disappointing that the weather caused us to miss our final day of testing before we head out to South Africa for the first race, I am confident that we have made enough progress during our winter test programme to make a top ten finish at Welkom a real possibility. I just can’t wait to get the season started now, and I’m looking forward to lining up for my first race as a Kawasaki rider.”

Alex Hofmann:
“It would have been good to get in one more day of testing before heading to South Africa, but I guess you can’t control the weather. We’ve made a lot of progress with the new bike since the first test at Valencia at the end of last season. Winter testing has gone well and we’ve seen a big dip in the lap times, which means we go into this season in a much stronger position than we started last year. I can’t wait to start my first full season in the MotoGP class and, although this will be a learning year for me, I still want to finish every race in the points. Unlike last year, when most of my wild card races were spent riding alone, the new bike should definitely give me the opportunity to mix it up with the other riders on track and actually race for position. I’m sure it’s going to be a lot of fun this year. South Africa can’t come soon enough for me.”

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
“There is no denying the fact that the bad weather here in Spain has seriously disrupted our planned test programme. We were hoping to confirm during the IRTA tests at Catalunya and Jerez what we learnt at our overseas test in Malaysia and Australia, but the near constant rain means that this just wasn’t possible. While we would have preferred to have completed our test programme before the first race, I’m confident that the progress we made with the new bike over the winter months will allow Shinya and Alex to push for top ten finishes from the off. It’s been a long, hard winter, but as the lap times of both riders proved during the brief dry periods we had at Catalunya and Jerez, it has all been worthwhile. I am looking forward to the season ahead and I am confident that the new bike will continue to improve as the year progresses.”


More, from a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team:

YAMAHA MEN ROUND OFF WINTER TESTING DURING DOWNPOUR IN JEREZ

Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Carlos Checa put the final touches to their pre-season preparations today, completing 19 and 17 laps respectively in the wet on their YZR-M1 machines. During a day of non-stop heavy rain, which turned the paddock into a small river, both riders spent just enough time out on track to check their wet-weather set-ups. Like most other riders present, the Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha pair turned in before the end of the official session, getting off their bikes for the last time before the season-opening Grand Prix in South Africa later this month.

Fastest man of the day was Italian Honda rider Max Biaggi, who clocked a time of 1:53.834, over a second faster than new Ducati man and Superbike World Championship runner-up, Ruben Xaus (1:54.907). Following them came Troy Bayliss (Ducati, 1:55.017) Alex Barros (Honda, 1:55.544) and Nicky Hayden (Honda, 1:58.695). Checa had the ninth fastest time of 2:00.147 with Rossi one place behind him in tenth with 2:00.997.

VALENTINO ROSSI (2:00.997)

“There’s not very much to say about today, except that I’m pleased with the way the bike has gone in the wet. It is still not bad to ride and the tyres felt okay too. Anyway this is the end of the winter tests and I’m very happy with our progress.”

CARLOS CHECA (2:00.147)

“We’ve been wet-weather testing today to get the feeling of the bike in these conditions. The main thing we’ve been working on is different engine maps. It was good to try the new engine spec in the wet and it is definitely a bit better. It’s important to try the bike in these conditions in case we have weather like this at one of the races. Overall I’m very pleased with this test and I think it is maybe the best one yet for us.”

ANTONIO JIMENEZ, CHECA’S CREW CHIEF

“Carlos only went out three times today, just to check the settings in case we have weather like this in Welkom! Once he was happy we stopped; that was enough for the day and it was good to stop early as we have so much work to do getting everything ready to send to South Africa. We are quite satisfied with these two days, even though we haven’t completed so many laps. The whole team is now looking forward to Welkom and we feel more confident after these IRTA tests.”

DAVIDE BRIVIO, GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR

“These winter tests have been very interesting for us and I can’t deny that we are delighted with Valentino’s Barcelona results and Carlos’ improvement here in Jerez. However we still have room for more improvement. Everyone in Yamaha has worked very hard to get the M1 to the stage it is at now and it will stay like this for the first race in Welkom. It’s encouraging that the set-up seems to work in such a variety of circuits. We have a base and it’s a good one. The only thing now is to see how the bike responds in race conditions which will be very different to these tests.”

Thursday Times (wet weather):

1. Max Biaggi (ITA) Camel Honda 1:53.834
2. Ruben Xaus (SPA) D’Antin MotoGP 1:54.907
3. Troy Bayliss (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team 1:55.017
4. Alex Barros (BRA) Repsol Honda 1:55.544
5. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 1:58.695
6. Kenny Roberts (USA) Team Suzuki MotoGP 1:58.751
7. Marco Melandri (ITA) Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 1:59.117
8. Vittoriano Guareschi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team 1:59.783
9. CARLOS CHECA (SPA) GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA 2:00.147
10. VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA 2:00.997


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

Honda’s final MotoGP test session succumbs to rain

Having generally had a dry track on which to test during the entire winter schedule, the odds were that at least one day of testing would be run under wet conditions, and the wet test was today. The final day of Honda’s MotoGP pre-season testing programme succumbed to the driving rain at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Spain. Some of the Honda MotoGP riders chose to take the opportunity to pick up some more valuable experience on the RC211V in the risky conditions, whilst others preferred to watch from the sidelines in the relative warmth of their pit garages.

Nicky Hayden was one of those to go out on track, and lapped through the morning until a small crash held him back slightly. Hayden emerged unscathed and the bike was not seriously damaged, the young American returning to the track in the afternoon to improve his lap time considerably. Meanwhile his Repsol Honda team-mate, Alex Barros, also took to the track to set a good pace in his first time in the wet on the new 5-cylinder Honda RC211V, 990cc MotoGP racer.

Another who choose to ride was Max Biaggi, keen to get more comfortable with the new chassis parts on his RCV before the season kicks off at Welkom, South Africa, on April 18th. The Italian was the fastest rider out on track today, setting his best lap during a lull in the showers duringthe afternoon which brought his day to a close.

Biaggi’s Camel Honda team-mate Makoto Tamada also went out during the afternoon session to try out some new Bridgestone tyres, and the Japanese rider made the most of his time out on track, finding some improvements in the rubber. The Telefonica MoviStar Honda duo of Colin Edwards and Sete Gibernau both decided not to risk lapping in such circumstances, with Gibernau in particular not wanting to aggravate the cold he’s suffering from.

With the two day Jerez test completed the Honda teams, and their entourages packed machines and equipment ready to ship their mobile race shops directly to South Africa next week where preparations are under way for the first round of this year’s MotoGP championship.

Max Biaggi: 1:53.834 – 39 laps
“Even though the conditions were not good I went out to get a better feeling with the new parts on the bike. We need more time in dry conditions, and I’m sure things will be sorted out in Welkom, but today meant I could eliminate some of the more obvious things. I’m happy with all the testing the team has done, we have worked hard this winter and after good race simulations in Australia and Valencia I was very optimistic we could have a good race in South Africa. One month later it’s not so easy, but slowly the feeling with the bike is getting there, and we’ll be ready in Welkom.”

Alex Barros: 1:55.544 – 13 laps
“Again the weather stopped everything. This morning we made a rain set-up to see how the bike performed and it was OK but I had to pull in as there were parts of the track that were flooded! We are so near the start of the season it really would have been stupid to carry on and take risks for no real reason. Although I am disappointed not to have ridden more I’m very happy with how I feel and how I feel on the bike. We wanted to get to the end of the testing period in a good shape ready for the season and I think we are. My shoulder feels absolutely fine; I now must build some muscle and strength for the race. See you in Welkom!

Nicky Hayden: 1:58.695 – 43 laps
“Not that good a day really. I fell off this afternoon in the rain. Just a little low-side. No big deal really. The weather was the same for everyone – we just had to keep going. I know this testing is really important and the team has worked real hard and we have made some good progress but I’m real ready to go racing now. I want to line up for real. Let’s just get down to South Africa now. I’m ready to go!”

Makoto Tamada: 2:02.138 – 20 laps
“It was good in the wet with the rain tyres today. Bridgestone brought some new examples, and it was very comfortable in these conditions. The tyres have a new compound and a new profile. We didn’t really get chance to test the new frame, and so at this moment I can only say that in the wet it seems to be a bit better than the one I have been testing on all winter. There wasn’t enough opportunity to find out much though. Friday practice in Welkom will be a day to get some good testing in on the frame, whilst on Saturday we will move on to setting up for the race.”

Colin Edwards No laps
“I decided it was best not to go out today. If this test wasn’t two weeks before the first race, even if it was a couple of weeks back then I’d have been out there all day, but you know that anything can happen in these conditions, and a stubbed finger or a bang on the toe and you’re not ready for the first race. I was really happy after Australia and was very happy to race there and then, but we got thrown a curve ball with this new chassis configuration that we still need to get solid laps on. So I would say I’m content, but looking forward to what should be a great race in South Africa. I am going there to win, I didn’t come here to play tiddlywinks!”

Sete Gibernau No laps
“I would have liked to have got more laps on the new bike, we still need to get settled on it and I wanted to see what it was like after a decent number of laps. We didn’t really get the chance either here in Jerez or in Barcelona. I am still feeling unwell though with the flu and decided that it was best to stay in the pits today and not risk anything in these conditions. I’ll be better by the time we get to Welkom though, and I’m sure we’ll be strong for the first race.”


More, from a press release issued by d’Antin Ducati:

XAUS AMONGST THE BIG GUNS

Jerez (Spain) The forecasts were on the mark, and today it rained intensely at Jerez throughout the whole day. Only a few riders chose to go out on track, and one of the first to do so was Rubén Xaus, who wanted this first contact with his new Ducati in wet conditions, proving himself to be very competitive, deciding to finish tests just after midday and after having set the second fastest time of the day. Neil Hodgson decided not to ride, calling an end to his pre-season and focusing his attention instead on the South African Welkom track, where the World Championship begins on the 18th of this month.

Rubén Xaus completed a total of twenty-nine laps, setting a best time of 1:54.907 before having a small crash with no lasting damage. “It’s a shame because the bad weather has dictated proceedings to us both here and in Barcelona. This morning I decided to ride however, to get some feeling for the bike in the wet. I felt comfortable riding and tested both 16.5″ and 17″ tyres, though after that it began raining even stronger. I went back out on track because Michelin were interested that I should test some new tyres, and though conditions were worse I tried to get them some information. At the fourth bend the bike aquaplaned though, and I crashed out. I was already sliding everywhere, and it’s worthwhile testing in these conditions. The pre-season is over now though, and in ten days we set off excited for South Africa.”

Neil Hodgson will also take a few days rest before heading out to Welkom, although first of all he will travel to London, to promote the impending MotoGP season alongside his compatriots: “I was certain that we were going to get some better weather today but the rain decided to follow us down from Barcelona. It didn’t seem the best thing to do to ride, because rather than calming down the rain just kept getting stronger and more dangerous. I’m very excited and keen to start the World Championship now, and although we might be going there not as prepared as we would have hoped, I’m sure we’ll pick up some rhythm as we go along.”

TIMES:

1st M. Biaggi 1:53.834
2nd RUBÉN XAUS 1:54.907
3rd T. Bayliss 1:55.017
4th A. Barros 1:55.544
5th N. Hayden 1:58.695


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

FINAL MOTOGP AT JEREZ CUT SHORT BY BAD WEATHER

Jerez (Spain), 1 April 2004 – Appalling weather conditions at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in southern Spain prevented the Ducati Marlboro Team, with factory riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss and tester Vittoriano Guareschi, from putting in any useful mileage today.

Despite mild temperatures (air 13° C / track 15° C), the incessant rain and strong winds meant that the riders were unable to go out on the track for the entire morning.

During the short period they went out in the afternoon from 14.00 to 16.30, Troy totalled 30 laps, setting a best time of 1:55.04, while Loris recorded a 2:01.13 in his 13 laps, focussing on the set-up of the 2004 Desmosedici GP4. The Australian completed some important testing work with Michelin, and said he was satisfied with the 16.5″ front ‘rain’ tyre.

Despite the limited track time, both riders improved the feeling with the new bike and were quite satisfied with its wet-weather handling. The entire testing programme remained uncompleted however and the team will now have to wait for the start of the championship to realise the new machine’s full potential.

This brings an end to the Ducati Marlboro Team’s winter test programme, which despite the poor weather over the past few days, has concluded positively in view of the 2004 MotoGP season. The Italian bikes have made a considerable improvement on last year’s times on all circuits (Sepang, Phillip Island, Valencia and also Barcellona), and the team was able to accumulate data and intervene on suspension set-up in view of the 2004 bike’s numerous innovations. The results obtained confirm that the project is on the right track and that the substantial changes made can be considered valid.

The MotoGP season kicks off on April 18 at the Welkom circuit in South Africa, the first appointment in the 16-round 2004 calendar.