Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

People who attended the AMA Pro Racing awards banquet November 14 in Las Vegas have been sent a letter of apology signed by AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth and AMA President Rob Rasor.

The letter offers apologies for remarks made by banquet co-host Jerry Bernardo, who made several references to “sponsor blow-jobs” and who refused to follow the teleprompter and keep to the script even when urged to do so by co-host Jamie Little.

The letter, dated November 19 and postmarked November 22, arrived at Roadracing World headquarters today.

The letter states, in part, “While we worked hard to make this year’s banquet more enjoyable, unfortunately one of the hosts made inappropriate remarks during the course of the evening. We apologize if you were offended by these comments and please understand they do not reflect the values of our organization and are not in keeping with the standards associated with the AMA and AMA Pro Racing. We have already taken steps to ensure that this does not happen again.”

From a press release:

SUPERMOTOCANADA Hits The Airwaves on TSN

SuperMoto Canada is proud to announce the broadcast schedule on TSN HD of the Picton and Parry Sound rounds of the championship.

SuperMoto Canada has taken the bold step of being Canada’s first race series to be captured and broadcast in the latest media format Hi Definition (HD).

The first episode from the Ride to Remember in Picton will be aired on Saturday November 27th at 11am. It will then be repeated on Tuesday November 30th at 3:30pm, Friday December 3rd at 12:30am and then on Saturday December 4th at 5:00am.

The second episode from the Sport Bike Rally in Parry Sound will air on TSN Saturday December 4th at 11:00am then repeated on Wednesday December 8th at 5:00pm, Friday December 10th at 12:30am and Saturday December 11th at 4:00am. Future episode scheduling will be posted online at www.supermotocanada.com .

The shows will feature some of North America’s best riders in the Premiere 450/Open and the Teknic Pro/Am 250 classes. Dave Arnold, Doug Beattie, Mark Burkhart and many more battle it out with the scenic backdrop of Georgian Bay and the historical site of the Air Forces base in Picton.

Industry support from Harley-Davidson, Honda, Yamaha and Teknic Gear has made supermoto racing come to life on TSN HD. Other industry support from the World Supercross series, SuperMoto Accessories and Michelin Tires have helped build the broadcast in it’s inaugural season.

The show’s executive producer Dave Hatch from Whistle Stop Productions has proclaimed supermoto as Canada’s first “Made for TV” form of racing and expects big things in the future as the sport and new venues come on board.

SuperMoto Canada is pleased to announce the return of Teknic Gear, a world-class performance clothing and accessory manufacturer as the Title sponsor of the Teknic Gear Pro/Am 250 class as the official apparel supplier of the 2005 SuperMoto Canada National Championship.

When asked about this exciting new opportunity for SuperMoto Canada, President Ted Baker says “It continues to be an exciting time for supermoto racing in North America. The television coverage should really boost awareness of the sport and increase racer participation. The exposure this summer of the supermoto race at the X-Games and all new venues in the AMA series only adds to the sport growth”.

For further details on all broadcast schedules and all the latest news and race event dates and locations for the 2005 SuperMoto Canada Championships log onto www.supermotocanada.com.

From a press release issued by Keith Code:

CALIFORNIA SUPERBIKE SCHOOL 2005 SCHEDULE

February 15/16 Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NV 2-Day Camp Tentative
February 18 Firebird Raceway, AZ All Levels
February 19 Firebird Raceway, AZ All Levels
February 23 Sears Point, CA All Levels
March 1 Texas World Speedway, TX All Levels
March 2 Texas World Speedway, TX All Levels
March 31/April 1 Streets of Willow Springs, CA 2-Day Camp
April 2 Streets of Willow Springs, CA All Levels
April 3 Streets of Willow Springs, CA All Levels
April 4/5 Streets of Willow Springs, CA 2-Day Camp
April 28/29 Streets of Willow Springs, CA R.A.C.E.Program
April 30 Streets of Willow Springs, CA All Levels
May 1 Streets of Willow Springs, CA All Levels
May 4/5 Reno Fernley Raceway, NV 2-Day Camp
May 16 Pocono, PA All Levels
May 17 Pocono, PA All Levels
May 18/19 Pocono, PA 2-Day Camp
May 23 Virginia Int’l Raceway, VA All Levels
May 24 Virginia Int’l Raceway, VA All Levels
May 25/26 Virginia Int’l Raceway, VA 2-Day Camp
May 31 Blackhawk Farms, IL All Levels
June 1/2 Blackhawk Farms, IL 2-Day Camp
June 9/10 Streets of Willow Springs, CA 2-Day Camp
June 11 Streets of Willow Springs, CA All Levels
June 12 Streets of Willow Springs, CA All Levels
July 25 Mid Ohio, OH All Levels
July 26 Mid Ohio, OH All Levels
July 27/28 Mid Ohio, OH 2-Day Camp
August 1 Autobahn Country Club, IL All Levels
August 2 Autobahn Country Club, IL All Levels
August 22 Pocono, PA All Levels
August 23 Pocono, PA All Levels
August 24 Pocono, PA All Levels
August 25/26 Pocono, PA 2-Day Camp
September 1/2 Barber Motorsports Park, AL 2-Day Camp
September 3 Barber Motorsports Park, AL All Levels
September 4 Barber Motorsports Park, AL All Levels
September 7 Jennings GP, FL All Levels
September 8 Jennings GP, FL All Levels
September 15/16 Reno Fernley Raceway, NV 2-Day Camp
September 30 Firebird Raceway, AZ All Levels
October 1 Firebird Raceway, AZ All Levels
October 17 Sears Point, CA All Levels
October 22 Streets of Willow Springs, CA All Levels
October 23 Streets of Willow Springs, CA All Levels
October 29/30 Streets of Willow Springs, CA 2-Day Camp
Oct.31/Nov.1 Streets of Willow Springs, CA R.A.C.E.Program
December 5 Sears Point, CA All Levels
December 6 Sears Point, CA All Levels
December 12 Laguna Seca, CA All Levels
December 13 Laguna Seca, CA All Levels

Sign up at www.superbikeschool.com or call 1-800-530-3350

From a press release:

THE BERIK GROUP OPENS THE OFFICIAL BERIK ONLINE SWAG SHOP FOR DEALERS AND CONSUMERS

The Berik Group, LLC is pleased to announce the launch of its online shop for Berik branded casual wear and products. The Berik brand is seen extensively in the Moto GP, World Superbike, and AMA Superbike Championships on several of the top racers. The new online shop was built to satisfy the increasing consumer demand for “everyday” Berik branded products and to work with Dealers and Consumers directly, bringing Berik swag straight to the market conveniently and affordably.

The store is fully stocked with fresh designs from Berik’s “New Talents” design team and the current product offering spans over 60 products including 100% Cotton T-Shirts, Poly/Cotton Hoodies, Girls Tops, and the continuously requested Berik Stickers. The shop even has something for motorcycle babies.

The Berik Online Swag Shop can be shopped at http://www.berikdesign.com

Consumers can order directly from the online shop and orders are shipped within 2-3 days in the USA and delivered in about 7 days outside of the USA.

Dealers interested in carrying the new Berik products in their dealerships, or to sell on their own e-commerce web sites can contact The Berik Group directly in the USA at [email protected] for the Wholesale Order Form and Dealer Price List.

Berik welcomes your comments. Please feel free to email us your feedback to [email protected]

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM AND BRIDGESTONE SET RECORD PACE AT JEREZ

Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 25 November 2004 – The Ducati Marlboro Team has successfully wrapped up its third and final day of testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain.

In collaboration with Bridgestone technicians, Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa worked non-stop for three days on the testing programme aimed at finalizing the new tyres for next season. Both riders put in numerous sequences of laps on their Desmosedici machines, and for the first time also used qualifying rubber.

The team’s new signing from Spain, Carlos Checa, was in great form today, recording 1:40.065 on qualifying tyres, almost eight-tenths of a second quicker than this year’s pole mark set by Valentino Rossi (1:40.818). Carlos totalled 56 laps and his best time of 1:41.246 on race tyres clearly demonstrates that he has quickly adapted to the Italian bike and the Japanese tyres.

Loris Capirossi lapped on the same pace as Carlos and out of a total of 67 laps, the Italian set a best time of 1:40.926 on qualifying tyres and 1:41.392 on race tyres.

“I am really pleased with these first tests with Bridgestone tyres” declared Loris. “The feeling with the front is already good and this afternoon we did a 20-lap long-run, maintaining a constant pace. For the first time I also tried the qualifying tyres: for sure these have a great potential, but I prefer not to take any risks for the moment. I can’t wait to get to Valencia on Monday to continue testing with the new tyres and developing our bike”.

Today was also the final day of testing at Jerez for Régis Laconi with the development team Desmosedici. Laconi continued to work with the new electronic components, the Frenchman completing 56 laps and setting a best time of 1:41.853.

“We are really pleased with the way the tests went” commented Filippo Preziosi, Ducati Corse Technical Director. “The weather conditions were favourable and we were able to get through a lot of work in these three days and obtain some important results. The basis for the start of our new partnership with Bridgestone is excellent. Now we have some good reference data with the new tyres and confirmation that our bike adapts well to their characteristics. As always in racing, there is still a lot of work to do but our morale is high, we are satisfied and this certainly means we are off to a good start!”

Following these successful tests at Jerez, the Ducati Marlboro Team will remain in Spain next week for two more days at Valencia on Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 November, the final session of 2004 before the start of the winter testing ban.



More, from a press release issued by Team Telefonica Movistar Honda:

SETE GIBERNAU FASTEST ON HONDA FOR THE SECOND DAY AT JEREZ

Marco Melandri continues his apprenticeship on the RC211V MotoGP test Jerez, Day 2

On a bright and sunny day in Jerez, Spain the Team Tefonica MoviStar Honda continued working hard today with Sete Gibernau focused on making some comparative tests running on a pace of 1’41” in order to better understand the material he got. He totally made 70 laps and was the fastest rider on a Honda while, his new team mate, the Italian Marco Melandri was continuing his apprenticeship with the RCV and improving his feeling with the bike lap by lap.

SETE GIBERNAU, 70 laps, 1’41″036
“I’m testing here at Jerez all the material that Honda is bringing me in order to understand and evaluate all the material we already have. My goal in fact is to create the best package that will be the base for the next season. In particular today I tested a different chassis and a new front fork. I tried to do quality laps maintaining a constant pace on 1’41” in order to understand and evaluate the material we have.
We also did some tyre testing. Michelin, in fact has asked us to test a new front tyre, so I’m very happy because we are all working hard in the same direction. Tomorrow I will go on doing more comparative testing, I have a lot of stuff to test but this is necessary in order to get the best package.”

MARCO MELANDRI, 101 laps, 1’42″023
“I’m very happy of the work done today, my feeling with the bike has improved and I felt much more confident. I have improved my pace and this is the most important thing. I have a lot of work to do, my lap time is still not so high but at the moment I want to procede step by step. I’m very happy of my new team, there is a very good atmosphere and we work with motivation, they make me enjoying riding.”

UNOFFICIAL LAP TIMES
1. Carlos Checa (Sp/Ducati) 1’40″065
2. Loris Capirossi (Ita/Ducati) 1’40″926
3. Sete Gibernau (Sp/Honda) 1’41″036
4. Makoto Tamada (Jap/Honda) 1’41″098
5. Tohru Ukawa (Jap/Honda) 1’41″636
6. Troy Bayliss(Austr/Honda) 1’41″663
7. Shinya Nakano (Jap/Kawasaki) 1’42″012
8. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) 1’42″023
9. Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) 1’42″029



More, from a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
KAWASAKI RACING TEAM JEREZ TEST
25TH NOVEMBER 2004

KAWASAKI RACING TEAM CONCLUDE SUCCESSFUL JEREZ TEST

Fuchs Kawasaki riders Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann completed a successful three-day test session at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain this afternoon.

Both Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR riders made maximum use of excellent weather – sunny and warm conditions with no wind – for the end-of-season test.

The primary strategy behind the test was to provide a data bank of information on which Kawasaki engineers will base development of the 2005 version of the 990cc, inline four-cylinder Ninja ZX-RR.

Although not chasing outright lap times both Nakano and Hofmann were able to improve on their previous best times at the Jerez circuit, in both cases using race tyres, not soft compound qualifying tyres.

Many rival teams and riders also present at the Jerez test posted their fastest laps on the final afternoon with the use of qualifying tyres.

While Nakano concentrated on evaluating various engine configurations, Hofmann was given the task of running back-to-back tests of various chassis and suspension set-ups.

On the third and final day Hofmann also ran a grand prix race simulation.

Another key element of the three-day test was the opportunity for Nakano and Hofmann to test a range of new Bridgestone tyres, both front and rear, of varying constructions and compounds.

This tyre data will also form part of Bridgestone’s plans for the 2005 season, when they will once again be Kawasaki’s tyre partner in MotoGP.

At the conclusion of the test the Kawasaki Racing Team began the long road trip to the Paul Ricard Circuit in southern France.

A two-day test, only for Bridgestone wet weather tyres, has been scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday, 29th and 30th of November. The Paul Ricard circuit has a trackside water sprinkling system that provides an ideal test venue for wet weather tyres.

The Paul Ricard test will bring to an end an exhausting year of racing and testing for the Kawasaki squad, with both Nakano and Hofmann looking forward to their winter holidays.

Nakano will spend time with his family in Japan at his home near Tokyo, while Hofmann plans to relax at his home near the Swiss Alps.

Shinya Nakano: 1’41.94
“My main job over the three days was engine work, as we need this information to prepare for the 2005 season. It was important to confirm the performance data we logged during the season, and also to test some new components. I tested different crankshaft set-ups, fuel injection throttle bodies and a revised cylinder head specification. In the tyre tests I found a very good front tyre from Bridgestone, which was a definite step forward from our race tyres at the end of the season. Although it will be good to relax, my focus is already on next season; everyone at Kawasaki is motivated to improve our performance.”

Alex Hofmann: 1’42.37
“The weather was perfect for three days; I’ve never seen it so consistently good at Jerez. My main job was to confirm the set-up work we have done this year, to provide information so the engineers can check the direction for next year. It was important to do this in the back-to-back situation of a three-day test. We also did some work to make me more comfortable on the bike because of my height; I’m much taller than Shinya. I did consistent laps of 1’42” in my race distance simulation, and my fastest lap on race tyres was 0.7s faster than my qualifying time in May. I think the direction we found at this test, with both the ZX-RR and the Bridgestone tyres, is going be a very good direction for the engineers over the winter.”

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
“This was an excellent opportunity to confirm our data and direction for next year. One thing is clear – our focus for 2005 is on engine performance and driveability, getting the power to the ground in most efficient way. Our chassis and suspension tests here confirmed that we have an excellent basis for 2005, and we also have some ideas to maximise the performance of our Bridgestone tyres. The latest tyres have improved edge grip, so we will look at some swinging arm options and other chassis revisions to ensure we get the best from the latest generation of tyres. It’s been a lot of hard work by the team, but well worth it.”



More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION

MotoGP test Jerez, Spain November 25, 2004. Day two of a three-day test.

Gibernau fastest RC211V rider on day two of Jerez test

Warm sunny conditions again prevailed on day two of the three-day MotoGP test at Jerez, Spain allowing the Honda teams a full day of testing that ended at 18.00. The teams dedicated the best part of the day to tyre testing with Michelin and it was Spaniard Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda) who emerged as the fastest RCV rider on the day.

Gibernau worked hard evaluating a range of chassis and suspension combinations before moving on to tyre testing with Michelin. His new teammate, Italian Marco Melandri ran an incredible 101 laps of the 4.423km circuit today basically getting in as many kilometers as possible on the 5-cylinder 990cc Honda. The Italian steadily improved his speed and consistency during his 101 lap stint slightly under his lap time of yesterday.

For American Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda), fastest Honda on the opening day, today was one to forget. He crashed at high speed but escaped unscathed but his RCV was extensively damaged. The team is investigating the cause of the crash. The damage badly disrupting his test programme. Extensive tyre testing scheduled for today was postponed until tomorrow.

Makoto Tamada (Konica Minolta Honda) covered 77 laps today running exactly the same time as his best of yesterday, 1:41.9. Tamada worked together with Michelin technicians to on various tyres sizes and combinations as he adjusts to the performance of his new tyre supplier.

Honda rider lap times and quotes:

Sete Gibernau: 1:41.036 – 70-laps.
“I’m testing here at Jerez all the material that Honda is bringing me in order to understand and evaluate all the material we already have. My goal in fact is to create the best package that will be the base for the next season. In particular today I tested a different chassis and a new front fork. I tried to do quality laps maintaining a constant pace on 1:41 in order to understand and evaluate the material we have.

“We also did some tyre testing. Michelin, in fact has asked us to test a new front tyre, so I’m very happy because we are all working hard in the same direction. Tomorrow I will go on doing more comparative testing, I have a lot of stuff to test but this is necessary in order to get the best package.”

Marco Melandri: 1:42.023 – 101 laps.
“I’m very happy of the work done today, my feeling with the bike has improved and I felt much more confident. I have improved my pace and this is the most important thing. I have a lot of work to do, my lap time is still not so high but at the moment I want to proceed step by step. I’m very happy of my new team, there is a very good atmosphere and we work with motivation, they make me enjoying riding.”

Nicky Hayden: 1:42.0 – 62 laps
“This morning didn’t really get going like yesterday. I had a pretty big crash that really messed the whole day up. HRC are looking into the causes but it was third gear and the bike went straight up and down. We’ve only got one machine here and the crash really did a number on the bike and the boys had to change nearly everything! Physically I was okay in the crash but it shook me up quite a bit. We managed to get out there again towards the end of the day and put in quite a few laps but I never got back in the times that I know I should be doing. I’ve had better thanksgiving days in my life before but that’s what you get in the sport. Some days are better than others and today wasn’t one of the good ones.”

Makoto Tamada: 1:41.9 – 77 laps.
“We made no technical changes to the bike today I have to learn to understand the feeling of the Michelin tyres over a distance so we concentrated on running a lot of kilometres today. Tomorrow we will try different front suspension settings with various tyres and hope to get even better understanding of how the Michelins perform.”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

As compiled from team press releases:

Lori Capirossi, Ducati, Bridgestone, 1:41.150
Carlos Checa, Ducati, Bridgestone, 1:41.314
Nicky Hayden, Honda, Michelin, 1:41.377
Sete Gibernau, Honda, Michelin, 1:41.685
Marco Melandri, Honda, Michelin, 1:42.468
Regis Laconi, Ducati, Bridgestone, 1:43.312

From a press release:

Victory The Number One Aim For Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team As End Of An Era Looms

No matter what the outcome of the Flexirider Formula Xtreme TT meeting at Eastern Creek this weekend (November 26-28), it will be a sombre occasion for the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team as it will be the last appearance for the outfit that has set the standard in Australian road racing for so many to follow.

It is with deep regret that Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager, Steve Trinder, has announced that the partnership between himself and Yamaha has come to a close but obviously the team will desire to go out with a dominant victory in both the Formula Xtreme and Supersport classes.

“We are very disappointed to see the alliance come to an end but it was purely a business decision. We couldn’t come to a satisfactory agreement with Yamaha so we have decided to exit the sport.

“In the past three years we have tipped in, well in excess of $1 million and we were not prepared to keep pouring money in. It is as simple as that. We were having negotiations for some time now but in the end we couldn’t agree to terms, so that’s it.

“I would also like to state emphatically that there is definitely no animosity between ourselves and Yamaha. As I said, it’s purely a business decision.

“The folk at Yamaha have been exceptional during the past three years. We have enjoyed a simply wonderful relationship and have attained a remarkable amount of success for both Yamaha and ourselves. There is no way that there is any problem between us; it’s just the way sport is becoming.

“It’s also disappointing that we will no longer be testing the variety of riders that I had envisaged a few weeks ago. I apologise to all those riders I had pencilled in but there is no point to be wasting anyone’s time now that this has come about.”

Defending “King of Xtreme”, Daniel Stauffer, will compete in both the premier classes aboard the Yamaha YZF-R1 and R6 while the rider of the second R1 in the Formula Xtreme class will be 17-year-old South African, Sheridan Morais, who this year was runner-up in his domestic Superbike Championship at his first attempt.

It will be a tall order for both riders, as both will have an uphill battle to gain supremacy.

For Daniel it will be his first ride back since having further surgery on his shoulder that he originally fractured during private practice for the third round of the Australian Superbike Championships at Winton in May.

Since then he has undergone the surgeon’s knife again after the bone failed to knit and the screws were pulled out due to the forces inflicted during the subsequent meetings – including the Suzuka 8-hour in July – before his doctor ordered the extra bout of surgery.

As for Morais he has to learn the Eastern Creek layout on an unfamiliar bike with a new team.

This overall situation will no doubt add to the determination of all concerned to ensure that the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team flag will be flying high come Sunday afternoon

“It will not detract from our usual commitment of aiming to win every race the Nikon Yamaha Factory Racing Team enters,” said Steve Trinder.

“The team will be trying that extra bit harder as well, I think, as we all know that this will be the last time we all work together. No matter what happens it will be the end of an era for the team that has surpassed many expectations in the short time it has been in existence.

“My brother, Craig, and I can walk away from this sport with our heads held high as to what we have achieved. Not only have we attained great success on the track over the past three years with our riders, Daniel Stauffer, Kevin Curtain, Brendan Clarke and Shannon Johnson but I feel we have lifted the level of professionalism and presentation of road racing in this country.

“We hope that we have left a legacy of the professionalism needed to take this wonderful sport to the next level.

“Now that it’s all over we can go and enjoy our second favourite past-time which is fishing and I hope to catch up with Kevin Curtain during his off season and head out for some fun on the water.

“Again I would just like to thank Yamaha and everyone else that has been a part of this remarkable journey and look forward to capping it off with more success this weekend.”

From a press release:

American teen Garrett Carter plans to contest the Spanish CEV National 125cc Grand Prix Series in 2005, following an initial foray into the series last weekend at Jerez.

The field of 70 qualifiers was split into two races, and Carter finished 15th in the second, consolation race, passing five riders and improving his times by six seconds a lap.

His father, racer Stuart Carter, is now talking to several European teams to find Garrett a ride.

From a press release issued by Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha:

GAULOISES FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM FINISHES 2004 WITH POSITIVE TEST IN SEPANG

The Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team rounded off its championship-winning 2004 season today with a third and final day of testing in Sepang. Valentino Rossi and his 2005 team-mate Colin Edwards enjoyed another hot and dry day at the Malaysian circuit and now head off for a well-earned winter break.

World Champion Valentino Rossi completed 44 laps, once again spending time refining the set-up of the 2004-spec M1. He also completed a long distance run on the new 2005-spec prototype version of the bike. Rossi posted his fastest time of the three-day test today with a lap of 2:02.35.

Speaking after the test, Rossi said, “We’ve been working on the new bike lots during these three days; it seems we do more and more testing every year, and start even earlier! Yamaha has put in a lot of effort to bring this bike here and enable us to start work on it in the right direction for next year, so it was very important for me to be here.

“Not every part of this prototype bike is new, but Yamaha has changed a lot. We are aiming for more stability in the rear end, but we want to keep the sweet handling. We are also looking for a little more horsepower; as everyone knows, which is one area we need to improve on. We’re still not quite there yet, but Yamaha’s engineers will continue this work during the winter and then I am sure we will be nearer our goal when we meet again in January. I’m now looking forward to a long holiday!”

Colin Edwards rode just 13 laps today on the 2004-spec bike, finishing his day early having completed the work he set out to do during the test. He posted a best lap of 2:04.31.

Team Director Davide Brivio commented, “We are pleased with the progress we’ve made during this test. In January we will start to work more specifically on set-up of the new bike. We were fortunate to be able to enjoy good weather during this test; at 6pm today it started to rain heavily, so we were very lucky!

“The team has been working very well together during this test. We are looking forward to continuing the work we have begun here when we reconvene in January. It has been a fantastic season for all those involved in the project, and everyone has worked very hard to make it a success. Now I hope that they all enjoy a very relaxing holiday, before we arrive back here in January to continue the hard work!”

The team will return to the Sepang circuit to recommence its winter test schedule on 22 January.

TIMES:

Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 2:02.35 (44 laps)
Colin Edwards (Yamaha) 2:04.31 (13 laps)

From a press release issued by Telefonica Movistar Honda/Gresini Racing:

FIRST DAY OF TESTING FOR THE TEAM TEELFONICA MOVISTAR HONDA

Marco Melandri made his debut on Honda at Jerez

The Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda started today a three day test session on the Spanish circuit of Jerez in a sunny day with temperatures that we usually find here in spring.

Today was a special day for Marco Melandri as the Italian made his debut on the RCV211V with the team run by Fausto Gresini. Together with his chief Mechanic, Fabrizio Cecchini, the 22 year old Italian rider, started today to adjust the bike to his way of riding in order to find the best balance of the bike.

MARCO MELANDRI expressed satisfaction and seemed very motivated for the new adventure that has started today:

“I’m very happy, today everything was new but, from the beginning, I had very good feelings. The RC211V is completely different from the bike I was riding last year so I didn’t push hard. I just wanted to start to know the bike and adjust my usual way of riding to the new bike. I was particularly impressed by the power of the engine of Honda, it is incredible!

Fabrizio Cecchini, my new chief mechanic has helped me, we have worked a lot on my position of the seat. I’m very happy because every time we made some changes, my feeling with the bike improved. I have shared my first impressions also with my team mate, Sete Gibernau, I’m lucky because he is a very good point of reference.”

SETE GIBERNAU : “Today we have done a good job starting from the bike we have used during this season. We are analyzing all the material we have at disposal in order to create a basis on which we can start to work for the next year. “

In total Sete made 57 laps, 1:41.685 his best time.

Marco Melandri completed 66 laps, 1:42.468 his best time

The Test continues tomorrow and Friday.


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI DESMOSEDICI MAKES FURTHER PROGRESS AT JEREZ

Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 24 November 2004 – Further progress was made by the Ducati Marlboro Team on the second day of testing at Jerez, which sees the Italian squad working with its new Bridgestone tyres.

In excellent weather conditions (air 21°C/track 27°C), Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa continued to rack up the mileage with the Japanese tyres as well as focus on further set-up work and the first results have been truly encouraging.

In completing exactly the same number of laps as his race number (65), Capirossi set the quickest time of the day in 1:41.150 and demonstrated that he is rapidly getting used to the new tyres and the progress made by the Desmosedici.

The Italian rider confirmed yesterday’s positive impressions and said he was particularly pleased with the feeling reached in just two days’
testing with the new Bridgestone tyres.

Race tyres were used exclusively throughout the day and Loris completed a series of laps at around the 1:41 mark.

“I’m really satisfied, things are going pretty well for our first time out,” declared Loris. “We are continuing to work with the new frame and the new swing-arm and the bike is improving every time it goes out. Despite it being only the second day with Bridgestone tyres, the feeling is already good and I am appreciating their working method. This is an
excellent starting point to prepare for the new season”.

Good lap times were also recorded by new team-mate Carlos Checa, who was second quickest today with a time of 1:41.314 in his 68 laps. As the
lap times demonstrate, the Spanish rider also seems to be rapidly adapting to his new Bridgestone-shod Desmosedici.

The Jerez session was also positive for Régis Laconi, on his second day of testing with the ‘laboratory’ Desmosedici, and the Frenchman
completed 60 laps with a best time of 1:43.312. Régis continued development work with new electronic components, to the satisfaction of
both himself and Ducati Corse engineers.

“I am really pleased with the way things have gone today” declared Filippo Preziosi, Ducati Corse Technical Director, present at Jerez. “The last time we were here, for the GP, we were in a difficult period and our results were not living up to expectations. Just a few months later we can see today that both riders are lapping at a good pace, and this demonstrates that our bike has improved a lot throughout the season. We knew that it was going to be a difficult decision to take but at the same time one with great potential, and the first results are
confirmation. There is still a lot of work to do, but days like today are important for everyone! A big thanks to the guys back in the
factory. This year has been a tough one, but they have always demonstrated great responsibility and devotion!”

Tomorrow the Ducati Marlboro Team will complete the third and final day of this week’s testing at the Jerez circuit.