BAD WEATHER RUINS DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM TESTING SCHEDULE ON FINAL DAY AT SEPANG A damp track in the morning and rain in the afternoon ruined today’s testing schedule for the Borgo Panigale team, which however concluded its winter tests outside Europe with a positive balance and with the Desmosedici GP6 already on the pace and well-sorted. Sepang (Malaysia), Thursday 16 February 2006 – Once again bad weather conditioned today’s final day of testing for the Ducati Marlboro Team as it continues with the development programme for the new GP6 in view of the start of the MotoGP World Championship. A damp surface in the morning kept everyone in the pit garages until 12 o’clock, when the riders went out on a relatively slow track. At about 2 o’clock another shower brought proceedings to a halt until 4 in the afternoon. A further twenty minutes of track time were available before thunder and lightning and a heavy downpour brought an end to the test. As a result, both Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau were unable to conclude the scheduled programme and complete their long-run with the new Bridgestone tyres. The test session was particularly unfortunate for Spanish rider Gibernau, who had been sidelined on day 1 by a gearbox problem, and then on day 2 with a stomach complaint. Things went better for his team-mate Capirossi, who was able to get through a lot of work with his Desmosedici GP6. Loris is clearly satisfied with the bike that he will race this season and is confident he can count on tyres that will be at the same competitive level as his GP6. Loris CAPIROSSI (29 laps – 2m01.92s) “It was a real shame that today we were unable to do the scheduled long-run. In the morning we found a rear tyre to do the run with, but the rain ruined our plans. During twenty minutes of dry time in the afternoon, I did a 2m01.9s in the three laps available so I’m happy with that. The bike is performing well and the tyres are improving all the time. We’ll see how it goes at the IRTA tests in Barcelona and . keep our fingers crossed”. Sete GIBERNAU (33 laps – 2m02.65s) “These last three days have been pretty unlucky for me: on Tuesday my bike had gearbox problems, yesterday I didn’t feel well and today I was still a bit ill and the storms played their part as well. After just a few laps I was really tired and it was tough in this heat. In any case we have seen that that the path we started to follow during the test in Phillip Island is the right one and I’m satisfied with it. We’re preparing a good base for the start of the championship: we’ve still got a lot of work to do and all the problems in this last test session have not given us a hand for sure”. With testing concluded at the Malaysian circuit, the Ducati Marlboro Team will now return home to prepare for the IRTA tests from 3-5 March at Barcelona, the traditional pre-season MotoGP appointment. Temperatures: air 33°C / track max. 48°C More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing Team: NAKANO AND DE PUNIET IMPRESS IN SEPANG Rain may have disrupted the final overseas test at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit, but that didn’t stop Kawasaki’s Shinya Nakano topping the timesheets aboard his Ninja ZX-RR during the second day of the three-day test. Nakano spent the first day working on the set-up of the all-new Ninja ZX-RR, before starting the evaluation process on a number of different engine settings and components, developed by Kawasaki engineers in Japan to improve both top end power and driveability of the 990cc, inline four-cylinder motor. The set-up work paid off on day two, when Nakano set the fastest time of the day using settings that allowed more over rev from the Ninja ZX-RR engine. Intermittent rain disrupted the final day of testing, with Nakano limited to only 31 laps on a dry track, but despite the interruptions, the Japanese rider was able to complete his planned tyre tests with Bridgestone, with positive results. Randy de Puniet also spent the first day refining the set-up of his Ninja ZX-RR, as well as testing a number of new rear tyres from Kawasaki’s tyre partner, Bridgestone. The French rider, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Tuesday, also managed to improve significantly on his lap time from the previous Sepang test and now heads for the IRTA tests at Catalunya and Jerez confident of further improvements. The annual IRTA tests will take place at Catalunya from 3 to 5 March, and at Jerez from 10 to 12 March, with the first race of the 2006 season scheduled for 26 March, again at Jerez. Shinya Nakano #56: 2’01.80 (108 Laps) “The first day was all about setting the bike up with the new engine components, so we didn’t really get a chance to put in any fast laps. On the second day we switched to an engine setting that allowed more over rev and this made the bike a lot easier to ride, allowing me to set the fastest time of the day. The rain during the last two days of the test limited the number of laps we’ve been able to complete, but despite this we still managed to complete our engine and tyre test programme. The three overseas tests have been very positive for Kawasaki, and now I’m looking forward to travelling to Europe for the IRTA tests at Catalunya and Jerez.” Randy de Puniet #17: 2’02.37 (167 Laps) “Again, this was a very good test for both me and the team. We have worked through a number of different set-ups, as well as testing a lot of new tyres from Bridgestone, and I feel a lot more comfortable on the bike now. But the real measure is lap times, and I’m happy to say that I managed to improve my lap time compared to the last test here in January. So, this test has been very positive for us, and we head to Europe and the IRTA tests with a good feeling about the bike and the tyres.” Harald Eckl: Team Manager “What this year’s overseas tests have proved is that the new Ninja ZX-RR is a very competitive package. We have closed the gap on the front-runners compared to previous years, and this is a big motivation factor for the Kawasaki development engineers, the riders and our team. I’m happy with what Shinya and Randy have achieved during this test, especially Shinya posting the fastest time of the day yesterday. Now we need to focus on the IRTA tests at Catalunya and Jerez, where the build up to the season really begins.” More, from a press release issued by Camel Yamaha: Ambient temperature: 33 degrees Track temperature: 48 degrees Humidity: 74% MORE RAIN INTERRUPTS CAMEL YAMAHA TEAM TEST ON ROSSI’S BIRTHDAY Bad weather again today meant that track time for Yamaha duo Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards was severely limited on their last day of testing in Sepang. The riders were unable to complete their planned long-runs but Rossi, who turned 27 today, made the most of the inactivity and celebrated with a large birthday cake in the team garage. Despite the rain the riders declared the test valuable and now head back to Europe looking forward to the final stages of preparation, before the first race in Jerez on 26th March. With track conditions patchy throughout the day, times were slightly slower across the board than yesterday. Rossi and Edwards only completed 34 and 28 laps respectively, Rossi setting the second fastest time of 2’02.06 and Edwards the fourth fastest with a lap of 2’02.33. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) was quickest in a time of 2’01.92. The Camel Yamaha Team now return home for a short holiday before they reconvene at the Montmelo circuit, outside Barcelona, for the Official MotoGP Tests on 3rd, 4th and 5th March. VALENTINO ROSSI (2’02.06, 34 Laps) “27 years is quite a lot and I am definitely getting old, although most of the time I still feel like I am only 16! Today we couldn’t do much because of the weather but overall it’s been a very interesting test. I am especially happy because we have made some good progress to solve the problem with the vibration. We have some new data now and we understand better why it’s happening, and how to finally fix it. We’re not yet at 100% and I think we can go faster, but I am feeling confident. Before the Jerez GP we might receive a small improvement for the engine, and hopefully we will have a bit more power. The test in Barcelona isn’t so important for us but the final one in Jerez is very useful, as it’s just a week before the first race and the conditions will be similar. Now we’re close to the start of the season and it’s already becoming clear who the main challengers will be; Melandri and Pedrosa especially are looking very fast and it also seems like Ducati are strong. I think it’s going to be a very exciting year with some wonderful races!” COLIN EDWARDS (2’02.33, 28 Laps) “Today was a bit of a wash-out for me! This morning we only tested a couple of tyres and then it looked like it might rain, so we decided to get started on our long run. Unfortunately I only had time for my warm-up and half a lap before it rained, so that was kind of it for the day! Anyway it’s been a good test, we’ve learned a lot more about the bike and we’ve been able to try quite a lot of new things which seem to make sense. We’re definitely not chasing our tails anymore and the bike is better than it was on Tuesday when we started; that’s the most important thing. In general the new bike is great, pretty much everything is better than last year and now I am just counting down the days to the start of the season.” DAVIDE BRIVIO CAMEL YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR “We have concluded our overseas testing sessions and now we’re going back to Europe for the final two tests. The conditions in Barcelona won’t help us so much with the bike development but anyway we will try to make the most of it. The important test will be Jerez, which will be the final opportunity for some key preparation before the first race. At the moment we still have a small problem to solve with vibration but apart from that everything is going well. Now we have to work in cooperation with Michelin to find the best combination between the new bike and the new tyres, because both have great potential.” Unofficial Lap Times: 1. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati, 2’01.92 2. VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) Yamaha, 2’02.06 3. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki, 2’02.20 4. COLIN EDWARDS (USA) Yamaha, 2’02.33 5. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki, 2’02.34 6. Randy de Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki, 2’02.47 7. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Ducati, 2’02.65 8. Carlos Checa (SPA) Yamaha, 2’02.66 9. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda, 2’02.70 10. Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda, 2’02.86 11. Makoto Tamada (JPN) Honda, 2’02.87 12. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda, 2’03.00 13. Toni Elias (SPA) Honda, 2’03.64 14. Alex Hofmann (GER) Ducati, 2’04.18 15. Kenny Roberts (USA) KR Honda, 2’04.30 16. Jose Luis Cardoso (SPA) Ducati, 2’04.82 17. James Ellison (GBR) Yamaha, 2’05.70 Sepang Lap Record: Nicky Hayden (Honda) 2005 2’02.993 Sepang Best Lap: Loris Capirossi (Ducati) 2005 2’01.731 More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Information: Second Sepang three-day MotoGP test of 2006. Final day of three-day MotoGP test. February 16, 2006. Stop and go day brings curtain down on Sepang MotoGP test. The three-day MotoGP test at Sepang drew to a close with the Honda RC211V riders making the best possible use of another rain interrupted day. Despite the stop-go nature of the last two-day’s of testing most RCV riders were able to achieve many of the targets set for them by the team engineers over the three days. Heavy overnight rain had left the track top wet and it was 10.00. am before any serious work was undertaken . The riders had to contend with two more heavy showers before the close of testing. As the track temperature increased the riders began tyre-testing session for Michelin testing new tyres but the ever-changing grip factor only permitted short runs. Repsol Honda rider Nicky Hayden endured a frustrating day. The former AMA Superbike Champion was never able to get in back to back test with the 2005 and 2006 versions of the factory RC211V. Every time he completed a short run with one machine the rain came down leaving the track with a totally different grip factor. Hayden’s team-mate, Dani Pedrosa, a newcomer to the MotoGP class, felt he made little progress today but he still managed to give the team some useful feed back on chassis development. The reigning double 250cc World Champion was happy with what the team has achieved here at Sepang and is looking forward to the Barcelona test. Despite the conditions Fortuna Honda riders Marco Melandri and Toni Elias ended the three-day test in upbeat mood. Melandri was pleased with the progress made today with front-end settings, and the new rear tyre he tested for Michelin. Elias, despite his stop-and-go day, feels he and the team technicians are now working in the right direction and will go into the next MotoGP test, at Barcelona on March 3-5, certain that they will make further improvement. Konica Minolta Honda rider Makoto Tamada was another held back by the rain preventing him from and running race simulations and a planned time attack. Regardless of the weather the Japanese star, a late starter in 2006 MotoGP testing, was pleased with the progress the team has made over the three days. Team Roberts are brimming with confidence following successful tests with the latest development of the chassis of the KR211V. The team will now concentrate on the third stage of chassis evolution for the Honda powered machine. Team Roberts have already began to work on the new chassis at their UK race shop. Their development work will be based on the data gathered here at Sepang and the test at Phillip Island of last week. Honda rider lap times and quotes: Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 2m 02.86s – 60 laps. “It’s been a tough three days going from bike to bike, and with so many things to test it got a little bit confusing. And the weather”¦ I know it wasn’t helping anybody else out but I swear it seemed like every time we wanted to do some back to back testing it started raining. That’s frustrating because it leaves a lot of unanswered questions. The new bike has a lot of potential, but as soon as I jump on the other bike you look at the stopwatch and the lap times come a little bit easier. We’re not in the best position, but we’ve got a lot of good people around here working hard and we’ll get there. The next two tests in Barcelona and Jerez are always fun, it’s an exciting time of year and we’re going to keep working from what we’ve learnt here.” Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 2m 02.68s – 35 laps. “Today was a difficult day with a lot of waiting around because of the rain. The wet track took some time dry and some more time to get back to a good grip level, and then it rained again. So today we didn’t really make much progress. But the test has been good. I’ve tried some new things on the bike and gained some good experience.” Makoto Tanaka – Repsol Honda Team Manager “We made progress, it was a positive test, though again we were frustrated by the weather today. Dani tried some modifications to the chassis and he gave some good feedback. It was difficult for Nicky because we couldn’t test as much as we’d have liked and the rain stopped us doing a longer run, yet he found a good direction for the bike. Now we move on to Barcelona where we will continue to develop the RC211V.” Tady Okada: HRC RC211V test rider. “We still have some work to do on the new bike. But overall the handling of the new bike is much better than the ’05 machine, about the same lap time. For sure this bike has a very high potential. We have gathered a lot of valuable data here and we will go back to Japan to make more tests before I hand over the bike to Nicky at Catalunya.” Marco Melandri, Fortuna Honda: 2m 03.00. – 55 laps. “Much better today, I think we understand more about the machine after today’s test. It was a pity about the rain showers. But because of the weather we tried some different setting solutions and we eliminated several negative things. We also found some interesting front-end settings when we used a new front tyre and we will confirm the results when we get to Barcelona. The new rear is still not perfect but we only ran it for a few laps. Still, I put in my fastest lap today using the new rear so I am quite positive about this test.” Toni Elias, Fortuna Honda: 2m 03.62s – 38 laps. “When we arrived this morning it was impossible to test because of the rain. This made things difficult because we couldn’t try the new tyres, which have a different profile. It was important to do this because they give the bike a different feeling. However, in respect to the first day of the test we have improved a lot. The next test is at Barcelona and we must have good weather because at Phillip Island and here this week we have found a good direction to work in. But we just did not get in enough dry laps here at Sepang. I am not quite as comfortable as I had hoped to be but I go to the Barcelona test feeling very positive. Barcelona is my home track so I will be comfortable there for sure.” Makoto Tamada, Konica Minolta Honda: 2m 02.87s – 28 laps. “Today all I could do was test tyres. The rain spoiled our programme and we did not do our planned long run, or a time attack. Still, I am feeling more comfortable on this year’s RCV. During the next tests at Catalunya and Jerez I will have to try my best to improve both the machine set up and my choice of tyres. I am confident we are heading in the right direction.” Kenny Roberts Jnr, KR Honda: 2m 04.30s – 32 laps. “The plan was to test new rear tyres today but the weather prevented us from trying them. We are working well with Michelin and we needed to try the new product. What we have done here has been very positive, I’m happy that what we brought here worked. We will have the new chassis for Barcelona based on what we have learned here and at Phillip Island.” Kenny Roberts Senior, team owner KR Honda. “Awesome, we are very pleased. This was the first test with the modified chassis and it did what we expected it to do immediately. Unfortunately the rain stopped us early but everything we did was positive. It was a pity when the rain came because we had another swinging arm to try. We now have a good understanding of the bike and will have a new chassis at the Barcelona test based on what we have learned here. The new chassis is now being prepared as we speak.” The MotoGP teams now move on to Catalunya for a three-day test on March 3-5. More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Honda: THE FORTUNA HONDA RIDERS LEAVE SEPANG WITH A POSITIVE FEELING Rain spoils the third and last day of testing. Sepang (Malaysia), Thursday 16th of February 2006 -The third and last day of testing was characterized by rain showers that interrupted the work of the FORTUNA HONDA riders. Despite the changeable weather and track conditions, Marco Melandri and Toni Elias were pleased with the progress made today and ended the three-day test with a positive feeling. The Fortuna Honda riders look forward to the next test session that will take place in Barcelona from the 3rd to the 5th of March. MARCO MELANDRI (55 laps, 2’03″01): “Much better today, I think we understand more about the machine after today’s test. It was a pity about the rain showers. But because of the weather we tried some different setting solutions and we eliminated several negative things. We also found some interesting front-end settings when we used a new front tyre and we will confirm the results when we get to Barcelona. We also tested the new rear but only for a few laps. I am quite positive about this test and I look forward the Irta Test in Barcelona to confirm the work done, hopefully on dry conditions.” ELIAS (35 laps, 2’03″62): “When we arrived this morning it was impossible to test because of the rain. This made things difficult because we couldn’t try the new tyres, which have a different profile. It was important to do this because they give the bike a different feeling. However, in respect to the first day of the test we have improved a lot. The next test is at Barcelona and we must have good weather because at Phillip Island and here this week we have found a good direction to work in. But we just did not get in enough dry laps here at Sepang. I am not quite as comfortable as I had hoped to be but I go to the Barcelona test feeling very positive. Barcelona is my home track so I will be comfortable there for sure.” Temperature: air: 33° – asphalt: max 48° More, from a press release issued by d’Antin Pramac Ducati: Alex Hofmann 2’04”1 Jose Luis Cardoso 2’04”6 Today was the last of the three days-winter tests that were at SEPANG in Malaysia for the second time. The two D’ANTIN PRAMAC TEAM riders both went on with their apprenticeship on the DUCATI DESMOSEDICI GP06 with DUNLOP tyres. The best time of the German rider, ALEX HOFMANN, has been 2’04”1, though he nearly passed the whole first day in the “Clinica Mobile” because of some problems with his stomach. The Spanish rider, JOSE LUIS CARDOSO, did 2’04”6. The bad weather has limited a lot the work that the team had to do but anyway there has been improvements and they will now go on hard working in Spain. Actually, the next three days tests are scheduled on the CATALUNYA circuit from March 3rd to 5th. ALEX HOFMANN #66: “Actually, these three days didn’t really go the way we wanted. I was quite unlucky during the first day, I didn’t manage to do more than 15 laps; I had some problems with my stomach that forced me to end the day in the “Clinica Mobile”. On the second day, we lose some time looking for a good set up and we couldn’t test all the things we wanted, also stopped by the rain at mid-afternoon. On the third day, we were ready to start the practice at 9 o’clock but the track was too wet and we had to wait until 11.30. I did two hours test and had a good feeling but then it rained again and we had to stop. At 16.30 I did other 8 laps but it was not enough to test the way we wanted to. The track was slippy, there wasn’t enough grip, but I did my fastest lap (2’04” 1) in these conditions and I’m quite happy about it because not many riders managed to improve today. Anyway, I’m quite disappointed because these three days were not really successful. We reduced our gap with the first riders and so we did a step in the right direction but there is still a lot to do and we need to keep on working”. JOSE LUIS CARDOSO #30: “Today the weather conditions weren’t optimal, we had to ride on a quite humid track and I couldn’t do many km. It has been a real pity because we had lots of tests to make on the frame, the suspensions, and especially on the tyres. The bad weather didn’t allow us to work in a good manner. Anyway, during the first day, we did various electronic tests and there has been improvements. I did progresses with my rhythm and sensations but we still are quite far from the first riders and we need to go on working really hard. On the second day, there have been some difficulties but I improved my best time before it began to rain during the afternoon. Now the next practice will be in Spain and we will go on working hard to be ready for the beginning of the season”. ANDRE LAUGIER – TECHNICAL CHIEF: “This third day has been quite disappointing because of the bad weather. When we arrived at the circuit, the track was unusable because of the rain that fell during the night, and we couldn’t began the practice until very late in the morning. Then, it also rained again during the day and we had no possibility to make all the km that we needed to test everything we wanted. During the first days, we had some difficulties finding the right set-up, the good directions; but yesterday we did some big changes and everything seemed better. It’s a pity we couldn’t go on working in this way today. We will do it in Spain”. More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki: Team SUZUKI MotoGP on the pace at Sepang Team SUZUKI MotoGP has completed the final pre-season test at Sepang with many positive pointers to take forward into the new season. John Hopkins was consistently competitive throughout the three day test and his quickest time of 2’01.94 established him firmly amongst the fastest riders. The Anglo-American star conducted more thorough tests on the ever-improving latest generation Bridgestone tyres and worked hard on finding the correct set-up for his new Suzuki GSV-R prototype race bike. Team-mate Chris Vermeulen continued his impressive form as he adapts to the riding style and technical requirements of a MotoGP racer. The rookie Australian recorded a best time of 2’03.10 which is almost one and a half seconds quicker than his fastest time from his first test at Sepang in November. Vermeulen was unable to complete the final day of testing due to a minor injury to his right shoulder. Team SUZUKI MotoGP was joined in Sepang by Suzuki’s Racing Department General Manager Masahito Imada, who attended the test and hand-delivered vital new parts to assist in the ongoing development of the new bike. Team SUZUKI MotoGP will now return to Europe for the Official MotoGP Test at Catalunya from the 3rd to the 5th March. The first round of the 2006 MotoGP World Championship begins at Jerez in Spain on Sunday 26th March. John Hopkins: “Everything seems to be going in the right direction at the moment. I’m pleased with my times and that I can keep doing them consistently on the new Bridgestones. We still need that bit more grunt out of corners and down the straightaways but I know Suzuki are working on that and we should hopefully have something when we get to Spain. We lost a bit of time here due to the weather which really frustrated me as I had a good rhythm going and was as quick as anybody out there. I just now want to get racing and show what we can do!” Chris Vermeulen: “I’m really getting on well with the Suzuki. Whenever I get on it I’m comfortable and feel like I am able to go quicker each time I ride it. My times are coming down to be more competitive, but at the moment I’m trying to learn as much as I can about the GSV-R and the way it handles, accelerates and performs in different scenarios. I know that each session is important for me as I have to get as much time as possible on the bike, so to miss today due to a shoulder injury is really annoying. I now need to get back on bike and continue my learning process, so the next test can’t come quick enough for me.” Paul Denning Team Manager: “This has been another encouraging test for all the team. John has been consistently fast throughout the whole three days and has shown maximum commitment to making sure that the GSV-R is the best that it can be. Chris is still improving at a fast rate and his best lap was recorded during the hottest part of the day when the track had very little grip. This shows the potential that he has and the way he is improving himself and the bike setting every time he goes out. “We are still looking for that extra acceleration and power from the bike and to have Mr Imada at the test was a bonus for us. He can now translate the performance he has seen on the track back to the factory development staff. Hopefully then it will be able to give John and Chris that bit more that they need to finish the package off and make us more competitive Suzuki is serious about getting this new bike to its full potential. As it sits, we’re not far away now and John’s been in the top four all week, so roll-on the IRTA tests.”