From a press release issued by Aprilia Racing Press Information:

Jerez de la Frontera (Spain)

Private Tests

2/3/4 December 2002

Monday 2 Dec 02

Second session of winter tests at Jerez for the RS Cube

The Aprilia RS Cube from the Racing Department of Noale has been through its second session of winter tests, again at Jerez de la Frontera. Out on the track today were Colin Edwards and Marcellino Lucchi, with Noriyuki Haga not taking part in this session as yesterday he was celebrating his wedding in Japan – he will be back on the saddle of the three-cylinder from Noale in mid December. Since the track was not in perfect condition – damp until mid-day and made slippery by traces of oil left by recent motor-racing tests, the riders first went out onto the circuit only in the early hours of the afternoon. Even so, works rider Colin Edwards, for the first time out on the test track in conditions that were close to ideal, and Aprilia test rider Marcellino Lucchi managed to complete today’s work schedule. A whole series of other tests are slated to be carried out on the team bikes over the coming days.

After his initial sorties to fine tune power delivery the way Edwards needs it, the Texan rider then turned his attention to the set-up of the bike, completing a number of laps in less than 1:46 and making the best afternoon time of 1:45.1.

The programme also included tyre tests, with Michelin race tyres being subjected to distance testing of about 20 laps: Colin again made lap times very similar to those of all the laps in the session. Marcellino Lucchi went for a harmless slide, without causing any damage either to himself or to his bike. Marcellino’s schedule included engine and set-up tests on the RS Cube from the Racing Department of Noale.

Testing will carry on until Wednesday.