Yamaha Finishes Supersport Testing At Valencia

Yamaha Finishes Supersport Testing At Valencia

© 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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From a press release issued by Team Yamaha Belgarda:

THE YAMAHA YZF-R6 IMPROVES. CORRADI IMPRESSES.
Team Yamaha Belgarda completed two days of testing at Valencia and were well satisfied with the progress they made. Now they feel that they are almost ready for the opening round of the Supersport World Championship on March 2nd – at Valencia. The debut of Yamaha Belgarda’s satellite team – Team Five Racing on the 2003 YZF R6 – saw Alessio Corradi put in a superb lap of 1:38.3 – well under the official record. The Parma rider (and ex-European champion) confirmed his growing talent after having been the revelation of 2002, and is now surely a true title contender.

PROGRESS AT LAST
Yamaha Belgarda’s two riders Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh (substituting for the convalescing Paolo Casoli) and Jamie Whitham took advantage of the favourable conditions. Van den Goorbergh soon began to post fast lap times at the 4.005 kilometre circuit, ending with a best of 1:39.3, with Briton Jamie Whitham marginally slower with a time of 1:39.6.

RELIABILITY
The main purpose of the tests was to develop the new YZF R6 and make sure that it is fast, competitive and reliable – instead of chasing quick lap times. With so many new elements to test, the team were happy that the weather allowed them to get a lot of work done in a more than satisfactory manner. At what the team felt was its first true outing, the Yamaha YZF R6 confirmed its title-challenging potential. The team are also very happy with the reliability of the four-cylinder engine and fuel injection system that the Iwata technicians have produced.

GOOD JOB DONE
At the end of the test, Team Manager and Sporting Director Maio Meregalli said, “These have been two intense, but very profitable days. Whitham has worked well – limiting himself to a bike in almost standard configuration. Meanwhile, Van den Goorbergh (only riding a Supersport bike for the second time) showed his skill and experience and posted some excellent lap times. Towards the end, he had the chance to improve his times by using softer rubber, but he preferred to concentrate on race tyres instead.”

WAITING FOR GASOLIO
At the moment, Yamaha Belgarda is waiting on
tenterhooks for the result of the medical examination which Casoli will undergo.

Casoli has been convalescing (since suffering a cranial trauma at Valencia in November) and is now waiting for the doctors to give him a definitive OK before he can return to the racetrack. “We still have some time before we make our final plans for the season,” said Meregalli, “but before we do that, we will wait for Gasolio’s news. If he is able to ride, we could go to Misano at the beginning of February and test again. Everything will be decided in the next few days.”

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