Six-time and reigning AMA Superbike Champion Mat Mladin will not attend Dunlop’s annual tire test at Daytona International Speedway next week. Originally, Mladin expressed a personal wish not to attend the three-day test, citing it illogical and “not worth the risk” to test three days in preparation for a short, single Superbike race. Instead, the Australian hoped to test with his Yoshimura Suzuki team in November of 2005 at California Speedway and then return to the U.S. in January of 2006 to continue testing at California venues. That plan was knocked off-track by Mladin’s extended recovery from off-season surgery to repair damage to his left foot/ankle, which was ironically suffered in a crash during testing at Daytona in January 2005. Mladin’s then-new testing plan was to get his first taste of his 2006 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike at Daytona during the Dunlop’s mid-December test. That plan, according to an e-mail Mladin sent to Roadracingworld.com recently, has now also changed due to the extended recovery his left foot/ankle requires. Mladin hopes to begin his testing program after the holidays, possibly at tracks in Australia like Phillip Island and/or Eastern Creek.

Yamaha’s AMA road race teams plan to compete in the 2006 AMA Superstock and and Formula Xtreme Championships with riders Eric Bostrom and Jason DiSalvo and in the 2006 AMA Superstock and Supersport series with Jamie Hacking, but the factory team may return to the AMA Superbike class with Bostrom as soon as 2007. “Our future plans are still to be in Superbike,” Bob Starr, Yamaha Motor Corporation, Inc. Corporate Communications Manager of the Motorsports Group, told Roadracingworld.com in a recent conference call interview that included Racing Division Manager Keith McCarty. Asked if Bostrom’s long-term contract (through 2007 with an option for 2008) was part of that plan, McCarty said, “I think you hit the nail on the head. We’re trying to create a team and an infrastructure of a team that when we get back in that class we can be successful. It’s not our desire to show up and parade around. We like to think when we get there we’re going to be competitors for podium finishes and perhaps a Championship. I think, as you know, that bar is at a pretty high level right now. I would like us there, but I don’t believe they (fans) would like to see us there without the ability to win.” You can read more about Yamaha’s current and future AMA road racing plans in the January 2006 issue of Roadracing World, which is in the postal system now.

DUCATI XEROX TEAM MAKES GOOD PROGRESS ON DAY 2 OF QATAR TESTING Losail (Qatar), Monday 5 December: The second day of World Superbike testing at the desert circuit of Losail in Qatar saw both Ducati Xerox Team riders Troy Bayliss and Lorenzo Lanzi make substantial progress on their Ducati 999 machines. In this three-day test, scheduled from 4 to 6 December, the Ducati Xerox Team is concentrating exclusively on tyre testing for the championship’s one-make supplier Pirelli and suspension set-up work in collaboration with Öhlins on new front forks and rear shocks. Both riders, who set their times on race tyres, improved on yesterday, in particular Troy Bayliss, who is starting to really get to grips with his new bike. The Australian was one of just two riders who managed to get under the two-minute mark, the other being 2005 champion and fellow countryman, Troy Corser (Suzuki). Bayliss knocked almost two seconds off his lap time to end up second quickest, despite a harmless crash on the last lap of his final run of the day. Troy set a particularly good pace, considering the condition of his left wrist, and the time of 1m59.60s he recorded towards the end of the day is also significant seeing as the track was slower in the afternoon. “I’m really happy with today, the track was perfect and we made a lot of progress” declared Troy. “The 999 still feels similar to the Ducati Superbikes I rode a few years back, although the tyres are different. Pirelli have made a big step forward and I’m really getting used to them now. I tested a lot of fronts today and we’ve managed to get a lot of good information for the opening race here in February. Tomorrow I’ll continue working with the tyres and then I’ll do a long-run after lunch to finish off the test”. Lorenzo Lanzi concluded today’s session one hour before the end after suffering the effects of yesterday’s crash. Even though he was unable to get under the two-minute mark, Lanzi shaved a few tenths off his time to end up third quickest rider of the day. “Yesterday was much better than today but all things considered I’m quite pleased with my performance today” commented Lorenzo. “I’m still in a bit of pain after yesterday’s crash, in which I scraped my right arm and bruised my back and right shoulder. Today we made a major change to the bike however and I hope to improve tomorrow”. TIMES : 1. Corser (Suzuki) 1m59.17s; 2. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1m59.40s; 3. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 2m00.48s; 4. Kagayama (Suzuki) 2m00.64s; 5. Muggeridge (Honda) 2m00.68s; 6. Toseland (Honda) 2m00.90s; 7. Haga (Yamaha) 2m01.50s; 8. Pitt (Yamaha) 2m01.80s; 9. Martin (Petronas) 2m03.10s. More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing: Mixed Fortunes for FPR on Day Two at Qatar FPR’s second day of testing alongside other factory World Superbike teams at the desert circuit in Doha, Qatar, saw its riders Steve Martin and Craig Jones have a day of mixed fortunes. Craig was unable to ride for the first half of the day due to illness with a fever and stomach bug, although following a trip to the medical centre for treatment and a good sleep in the morning, was able to return to the FP1 seat for the afternoon’s running and completed over thirty laps. Steve was also feeling a little weak after his first day back on a bike following surgery just six weeks ago. He completed almost forty laps but had a steady day of running for development purposes rather than pushing himself to his full potential. Despite both Steve’s and Craig’s day being slightly hampered by ailments, they were both able to progress positively with testing of development parts and also, both improved on their lap times from yesterday, with times of 2:03.10 and 2:02.84 respectively. Steve commented, “I’ve felt pretty weak today so have just concentrated on steadily evaluating the development parts. Despite not pushing to anywhere close to my limit I was still able to improve my lap time and so I’m looking forward to more of the same progress all round, on day three.” Craig said, “It’s annoying I was ill this morning as I wanted to have another good and full day, but I felt much better after lunch and I’m pleased to be continuing to make good progress. I was able to further evaluate tyres and found a good combination to help me put in the quickest lap of the test so far. I’m really enjoying this test and can’t wait to get back out there tomorrow to hopefully put in even more laps, test more development elements and also try for an even quicker lap time.” UNOFFICIAL TIMES 1. Corser (Suzuki) 1:59.17; 2. Bayliss (Ducati) 1:59.40; 3. Lanzi (Ducati) 2:00.48; 4. Kagayama (Suzuki) 2:00.64; 5. Muggeridge (Honda) 2:00.68; 6. Toseland (Honda) 2:00.90; 7. Haga (Yamaha) 2:01.50; 8. Pitt (Yamaha) 2:01.80; 9. Jones (PETRONAS) 2:02.84; 10. Martin (PETRONAS) 2:03.10

LANZI AND BAYLISS IN THE TOP THREE FOR DUCATI XEROX TEAM ON DAY 1 OF QATAR TEST Losail (Qatar), Sunday 4 December: The first day of the Ducati Xerox Team’s final 2005 testing session in the Gulf state of Qatar was a positive one as both Lorenzo Lanzi and Troy Bayliss set top 3 times on their Ducati 999 machines. The three-day Pirelli tyre test at the Losail circuit is being attended by most of the World Superbike Championship’s top teams and is an ideal opportunity for winter development work in perfect conditions in view of the opening round of the championship in February of next year at this same venue. Both Ducati Xerox Team riders concentrated on notching up the mileage with Pirelli tyres, with Bayliss in particular getting to know his new bike for 2006. Lorenzo Lanzi continued his impressive form of late and the young Italian was quickest on the track all day until half an hour from the end, when 2005 champion Troy Corser (Suzuki) shaved tenths of a second off to go quickest overall. Lanzi then crashed with a couple of minutes to go before the end of the session, but was unhurt. “Today was a good day for us” declared Lorenzo. “I was particularly motivated and managed to set a good time early on, a time that remained unbeaten for most of the day. Unfortunately shortly before the end of the session I suddenly lost the rear of my 999 in the quick chicane round the back of the circuit and crashed. I was unhurt but I’ll be OK for tomorrow, when we hope to improve with the new Pirelli development tyres”. After not being able to test much at Valencia due to the poor weather conditions, Troy Bayliss spent most of the day familiarising himself with his new bike and tyres. The 36-year-old Australian was satisfied with his third quickest time behind Corser and Lanzi. “Things were really good up to lunchtime and in fact I set my quick time in the morning” declared Troy. “Then in the afternoon I mainly concentrated on testing the front tyres, trying hard to feel the limit of the bike and I wasn’t really looking for the lap times. We’ve got a lot more to test in the next couple of days and I’m sure I can improve. My wrist has had a couple more weeks to heal up and is now a lot better than it was at Valencia, and I’m feeling good on the bike so things are going well”. UNOFFICIAL TIMES: 1. Corser (Suzuki) 2m00.44s; 2. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 2m00.88s; 3. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 2m01.20s; 4. Toseland (Honda) 2m01.76s; 5. Haga (Yamaha) 2m01.92s; 6. Kagayama (Suzuki) 2m01.97s; 7. Muggeridge (Honda) 2m02.18s; 8. Pitt (Yamaha) 2m02.65s; etc. More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing: Martin and Jones Make Good First Day Progress In Qatar Craig Jones gets into his stride at Losail circuit in Qatar Craig Jones gets into his stride at Losail circuit in Qatar The first day of Foggy PETRONAS Racing’s final test of 2005, at Losail circuit in Doha, Qatar, proved very positive for both Steve Martin and Craig Jones. Ideal weather provided the pair with perfect testing conditions for the first day of the three day Pirelli organised test, enabling them both to work progressively through the comprehensive FP1 testing and development programme which includes braking systems, temperature management packages, suspension, wheels and electrical system modifications, alongside continued engine development. Although still to make a full recovery from his kidney operation, it was as if Steve had been riding his FP1 yesterday, rather than two months ago, and he immediately set about putting his experienced development skills into action. The Aussie completed almost forty laps and without pushing hard, finished the day with a best time of 2:04.04 a lap time quicker than his qualifying and also best race time at Qatar earlier in the year. Craig continued to make steady progress on his Valencia chassis set up and also test a number of development parts, completing over fifty laps and achieving a creditable lap time, for only his second outing on the FP1, of 2:04.7. Steve said, “It’s fantastic to be back on the bike and I’m pretty happy with the first day. When I first got here I just wanted to ease myself back into things but I’ve already exceeded my expectations and am definitely on the road to full recovery. I didn’t push too hard today as I’m also not here to chase times, but to thoroughly test and evaluate all the new and development parts to put us in as good a position as possible for next season.” Craig commented, “I’m happy with the day in general and have got a really good feel for the bike now. It was nice to keep reducing my times right down to just behind Steve and I’m pleased with my progress for my first time out here at Losail.” UNOFFICIAL TIMES: 1. Corser (Suzuki) 2:00.44; 2. Lanzi (Ducati) 2:00.88; 3. Bayliss (Ducati) 2:01.20; 4. Toseland (Honda) 2:01.76; 5. Haga (Yamaha) 2:01.92; 6. Kagayama (Suzuki) 2:01.97; 7. Muggeridge (Honda) 2:02.18; 8. Pitt (Yamaha) 2:02.65 ; 9. Martin (PETRONAS) 2:04.04; 10. Jones (PETRONAS) 2:04.7