From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

POSITIVE DEBUT FOR NEW DESMOSEDICI GP4 ENGINE

Catalunya (Spain), Monday 14 June 2004 – The new Twin Pulse engine that was given its shakedown last week at Mugello by factory tester Vittoriano Guareschi, was used for the first time today by both Ducati Marlboro Team riders, who stayed behind at the Montmelò circuit the day after the Catalunya Grand Prix.

Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss backed up the positive view expressed by Vittoriano: that the new engine, with its irregular firing order, represents a step forward over the previous version. It improves ‘rideability’ and allows the riders to have better consistency in their performance.

Both Capirossi and Bayliss, who did not focus on setting quick times, used the day’s testing solely to gain confidence with the ‘Twin Pulse’ and its behaviour. Weather conditions today were good (25°C air/41°C track), mainly sunny with a few drops of rain that did not interfere with the testing.

After 72 laps out on the track and a best time of 1:44.5, Loris Capirossi was pleased with today’s work. The Italian rider also carried out back-to-back testing with the engine used during the weekend. ”

‘I am pleased with what we did today: I enjoyed myself on my bike again and we worked really well during this first test for the new engine”, declared Loris. “Compared with the previous version, the Twin Pulse has greater potential. Of course we have to get to know all about it and test it again, in particular to adapt the settings and the gear ratios to its characteristics, but I think that we can be satisfied with the first day. I can’t wait to get back to being one of the front-runners again!”

Despite yesterday’s spectacular crash, Troy Bayliss got back onto his Desmosedici GP4 late in the morning and completed 46 laps of the track, the best time being 1:45.0. His pace was also good, quicker than the times set during Sunday’s race. Despite still being in a bit of pain, the Australian was also satisfied with the new engine.

“I like the Twin Pulse, it’s a lot better than the engine we’ve used up to now”, commented Bayliss. “It makes the bike easier to ride and I feel a lot more comfortable on it: just look at my times, they are good today despite me not being in perfect shape. Tomorrow morning I’ll see how I feel and decide whether to continue testing or go back home for a rest’.

Tomorrow will see the second and final day of testing for the Ducati Marlboro Team, ahead of the next round of the championship at Assen in the Netherlands.


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

GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA RIDERS MAKE SIGNIFICANT PROGESS AT CATALUNYA ONE-DAY TEST

Fresh from its success at the Catalunya Grand Prix yesterday, the Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team stayed on at the Montmelo circuit in Catalunya today for a one-day test, alongside many of its competitor MotoGP teams. The Yamaha factory team’s riders Valentino Rossi and Carlos Checa, who finished yesterday’s race first and fourth respectively, spent the day testing a new rear swingarm on their Yamaha YZR-M1s.

“Today’s test went very well”, commented Team Director Davide Brivio. “Both riders tested the new swingarm, which we intended to enable them to find better stability. Both riders said they are happy with the new feature, and they will definitely use them at the next race in Assen. Michelin also gave them some new tyres to test, and the riders gave some good feedback to them.”

With Rossi and Checa currently holding respective second and fourth positions in the Championship standings, the team is looking forward to the next stage of its challenge; round six at the historic Assen circuit in the Netherlands on Saturday 26th June.

LAP TIMES:

VALENTINO ROSSI 1:44.1
CARLOS CHECA 1:44.2


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

TEST SESSION AT CATALUNYA FOR THE TEAM TELEFONICA MOVISTAR HONDA

On a packed racetrack with 31 riders among motogp and 250 cc classes, the Team Telefonica Movistar Honda MotoGP carried out import tyre testing together with Michelin. Thanks to the good weather condition, riders tested until 6.00 p.m. The Texan Colin Edwards started testing at 11.00, he lapped in total 91 laps (430 km) whereas Sete Gibernau went on track around 13.00 an totally lapped 44 laps.


Colin Edwards – 91 laps, 1:44.1 the best time:
“Today we did tyre testing with Michelin, testing different solution especially for the rear tyre in order to solve the chattering that is disturbing the performance of the bike since the beginning of the season. Today I have a better feeling with the bike, but this is quite normal because for the weekend of the race we have a fixed number of tyres to choose whereas here we have a bigger selection of tyres. I’m confident for the next race that will be held at Assen next 28th of June. !


Sete Gibernau – 44 laps , 1:44.2 the best time:
“Today we focused mainly on tyre testing with Michelin. It was useful also for the team because We could undestand more about some problems occurred yesterday during the race.
We are satisfied of the small endurance test we did this afternoon. We are looking for the set up of the RC211V that suits the different tracks”.