From a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki:

Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000K5 lives up to the hype

RIZLA SUZUKI finished its test at Valencia in Spain today and is confident the all-new GSX-R1000K5 can live up to its pre-season media hype.

Rizla Suzuki racer Scott Smart put the GSX-R1000K5 through its paces for more than 150-laps of the 4.005km Valencia circuit during the two-day test. Despite high winds today, he finished the test and told the team that the bike was every bit as good as the hype that has surrounded it since its launch late last year.

Smart spent the day testing various engine and chassis components and further refining his riding position. He lost the front end of his Rizla Suzuki and crashed at the same corner that caught his team mate John Reynolds out yesterday but walked away unscathed. He finished the test happy with his base setting and is eager to ride again.

After crashing at turn six yesterday, British Superbike Champion JR is now in Valencia General Hospital with his right leg in a cast after breaking his tibia and fibula. He will be flown by private plane to England tomorrow and will then be transferred to Queens Medical Facility in his hometown of Nottingham. He will meet a team of specialists on Monday to determine the best treatment for as quick a recovery as possible.

Team Rizla Suzuki will now return to the UK to continue its test schedule and further development of the GSX-R1000K5. The British Superbike Championship starts on Bank Holiday Monday, March 28th, at the popular Brands Hatch circuit in Kent.

Scott Smart:
“That was a very busy day on track and I don’t mind admitting that I am absolutely shattered. We had so many things to test that it was always going to be hard work, but the guys kept me working to a schedule and we finished with plenty of useable data.

“Once that information is analysed back at the workshop we will have plenty of direction on what is working and what isn’t and will start our next test from a very strong baseline. That is exactly what the team wanted to achieve from this Valencia test.

“I can tell everyone the GSX-R1000K5 is every bit as good as the hype that has surrounded it. We have only scratched the surface at this test but it already has the feel of an accomplished race bike and once we get it dialed in and go for lap times, I think it is going to be awesome.”

Robert Wicks, team manager:
“We leave this test with confirmation that the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000K5 is as good as we dared hope and absolutely delighted in how well Scott has taken to the team as well as his consistently fast lap times despite the windy conditions.

“As Scott has completed more and more laps we have watched him grow increasingly comfortable on his Rizla Suzuki. We are leaving the test in a strong position with him and once his technicians make the changes he has requested, it will be important to have him testing again to further develop the GSX-R1000.

“We have made a plan with JR to get him back to England from Spain and in front of a team of top fracture specialists as early as possible. One thing is for sure, JR’s determination to get back to fitness is second to none and he will have the best medical treatment to support him.”

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

FPR Boys Back On Track At Losail

New Foggy PETRONAS Racing pair Steve Martin and Garry McCoy made use of the first day of the official Superbike World Championship winter test at Qatar to become re-acquainted with the PETRONAS FP1.

Completing 55 and 41 laps respectively, Steve set a fastest time of 2:05.984 while Garry was within three hundredth of a second of his team-mate with a time of 2:06.015. Jose Luis Cardosa was the surprise front runner with a lap time of 2:02.628.

The FPR men, riding the FP1 for the first time since their initial outing at Valencia in November, took advantage of warm and sunny conditions to learn the fast and flowing Losail circuit, 25km from the Qatar capital, Doha.

Steve said: “I am happy with today because, after three months, it is like riding a completely different bike again. But I think we are starting to make steps forward. We know what the problems are and we are fixing them, so every time I get on we make an improvement. I think this is the sort of track where, when the bike is right, you can find a lot of time. I think I know the circuit pretty well now as I did quite a few laps today. And I think the circuit is going to make for an interesting race – it’s just a pity it’s so slippery off line as people aren’t going to want to go off line to pass. We have been making changes to the general run of the mill stuff, not only to suit the circuit but also to find the setting I like. I was going consistently two seconds a lap quicker in the afternoon, so the times indicate that we are going in the right direction.”

Garry said: “The bike needed a little bit of work for this track and I didn’t really get a chance to get a feeling or set-up when I was last on it at Valencia in November. So we have pretty much come here as though this is day one for me. We have made a lot of changes and found out what’s good and what’s bad, mainly working with the suspension at the front and rear, clutch settings and mapping. I did have a good feeling for the circuit but because we have been trying so many things it’s hard to go into the corners with confidence. So I haven’t been able to just ride round. But the race is next week! We have still a bit of a way to go but I definitely feel we are going in the right direction.”

Day one times, WSBK test, Qatar: 1 Cardosa (DFX) 2:02.618; 2 Corser (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 2:03.044; 3 Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki) 2:03.309; 4 Toseland (Ducati Xerox) 2:03.759; 5 Nieto (Ducati Carrachi) 2:03.870; 6 Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 2:03.870; 7 Walker (PSG-1 Kawasaki) 2:03.927; 8 Gimbert (Yamaha France) 2:03.999; 9 Laconi (Ducati Xerox) 2:04.011; 10 Silva Alberosa (La Glisse) 2:04.077; 21 Martin (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 2:06.015; 22 McCoy (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 2:06.015


More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group:

Pre Season Test – Losail Circuit, Qatar 19 – 20 February 2004


Day One: The magnificent facility that is the Losail International Circuit in Qatar hosted its first sessions of World Superbike Championship testing action today, in the warm and dry conditions that typify this promontory of land jutting into the Arabian Gulf.


Big Turn Out: a large field of World Superbike and World Supersport competitors enjoyed Qatar’s first SBK experience, each making their final preparations for raceday itself, which takes place on Saturday 26th February. Twenty-nine Superbikes and eighteen Supersport machines were in attendance on day one.


Quick Quixote: Fastest on day one proved to be Jose Luis Cardoso (DFX Yamaha), overcoming the tricky early conditions, in which lack of use had left the track covered in a film of dust and reduced in ultimate grip. As the track improved the times tumbled, with whole seconds taken from most rider’s best times between the morning and afternoon sessions.


Six Of The Best: Of great importance in the run up to the start of the season is the fact that all the volume motorcycle manufacturers in World Superbike this year – Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha – have bikes well capable of winning at the first 2005 attempt. In large part this is due to the close technical regulations and Pirelli spec tyres, designed to allow universal participation at a high level. Arguably the 900cc three-cylinder Petronas machine is the most technologically interesting of all the entries in World Superbike, and this year two such machines will be omnipresent again, bringing the total of manufacturers in the series to six.


Yamaha Top, Suzuki Chasing: Yamaha has not only the most numerous entries in the championship, but at this first attempt, the fastest rider on show as well – Iberian wizard Jose Luis Cardoso, the reigning Spanish Formula Extreme champion. A veteran of the R1 from his winning 2004 season, Cardoso set a best lap time of 2:02.618, holding off the attentions of Troy Corser (Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki) and his team mate and SBK season rookie, Yukio Kagayama, by over 0.4 and 0.7 seconds respectively. Kagayama has been a leading light in the British series for the past two years, and is the highest-placed rider to have had previous experience of racing at the unique Losail circuit. Despite this, he fell from his Suzuki in the early morning, without injury.


Ducati Demons: The Xerox Ducati 999F05 machines of reigning champion James Toseland and vice-champion Regis Laconi took Englishman Toseland to fourth and Frenchman Laconi ninth on the time sheets. Toseland, out to defend his crown against possibly the most competitive field in the championship’s history, had a small moment in the early morning, crashed in the afternoon, but praised both the track layout and way that its grip improved as the testing traffic increased, cleaning the surface with each lap that passed.


New Nieto: Fonsi Nieto (Ducati SC Caracchi) showed his intentions from the start, ending his day with a best time of 2:03.759, good enough for fifth fastest overall. The Spanish superstar has been a welcome addition to the Superbike field this off-season, and with previous experience of the Losail circuit, he should be on the pace from the very first race of 2005.


Honda Effort Led By Rookie: The early showings of 2004 World Supersport Champion Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda) were a positive first step for one of Ten Kate’s Aussie fliers, especially as race eve approaches. Despite falling he was sixth fastest overall, from 29 riders on track, Muggeridge fared better than his team-mate Chris Vermeulen. The latter, a four-time race winner in 2004, was struck down by a flu infection, setting 18th fastest time in only 17 laps. Pierfrancesco Chili (Klaffi Honda) was getting used to his new bike once more, finishing 16th fastest and suffering a fall, while Ben Bostrom’s return to the Superbike fray on the Renegade Honda saw him only 28th overall, currently six seconds from the best pace.


K-Band Rider: Kawasaki rider Chris Walker showed that even some imperfect chassis settings on his ZX-10 were not enough to hold him back, setting seventh best time and completing the roll of honour for the major manufacturers in the top positions. His time of 2:03.947 was a boost fore the entire PSG-1 team, which has not had the chance to measure itself against its main rivals on many occasions this winter. The top ten was completed by Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha Motor France IOPNE), Laconi, and wild card rider Ivan Silva Alberola (La Glisse Yamaha).


Other Top Riders: The Yamaha Motor Italia squad, featuring Andrew Pitt and Noriyuki Haga, slotted in a surprisingly lowly 11th and 12th respectively. Mauro Sanchini (Walker’s PSG-1 Kawasaki team-mate) went 13th fastest on the lurid yellow PSG-1 Kawasaki. Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France-IPONE), whom many expected to be one of the outright quickest riders in the opening sessions, given his previous experience of the Qatar circuit, was only 14th fastest, albeit only 1.5 seconds down on Cardoso. The top 14 riders all finished within two seconds of Cardoso.


Petronas Pairing: The Foggy Petronas FP-1 three cylinder machine scored two podiums in 2004, but on first showing the 2005 season will be a very tough one for the Aussie pairing of Garry McCoy and Steve Martin. The latter scored the best Petronas time of day, 2:05.984, for 21st fastest, with McCoy one place behind.


One Day: With one complete day of testing remaining to run, the current first day times may mean little come tomorrow evening. As Sunday 20th is the last chance each team will have before qualifying begins for real on Thursday 24th February, Sunday will be the final guide to just how the inaugural Qatar World Superbike race will turn out.


In the World Supersport championship, Ten Kate Honda rider Sebastien Charpentier took the top spot, with a 2:04.716 lap, almost 1.2 seconds better than second place rider Michel Fabrizio (Team Italia Megabike Honda). Just outside the 2:05 minute laps, Kevin Curtain was the third quickest rider on display, the leading light in the factory Yamaha Motor Germany team. His team-mate Broc Parkes was 0.4 seconds down, with Ducati rider Gianluca Nannelli (SC Caracchi Ducati) fifth. Two former World Champions, both from France, slotted in sixth and seventh fastest, with Stephane Chambon (Gi Motorsport Honda) heading up Fabien Foret (Team Megabike Honda).


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

TOSELAND AND LACONI (DUCATI XEROX TEAM) IN DESERT ACTION IN QATAR WORLD SUPERBIKE TEST

Losail (Qatar), Saturday 19 February: James Toseland and Régis Laconi (Ducati Xerox Team) warmed up for the 2005 World Superbike Championship by setting fourth and ninth quickest times respectively on the first day of the final pre-season test session in Qatar. The two-day test, organized by WSBK promoters FGSport at the Losail circuit in the Arabian peninsula state, is the last opportunity for this year’s contenders to prepare for next Saturday’s opening round at the brand-new track built in the desert on the outskirts of the capital Doha.

Almost five hours of testing in warm conditions (air 24°C/track 44°C) on a slippery and sandy track surface left the two Ducati Xerox Team riders in a positive mood for the Losail race as they faced up against all of their main opponents for the first time this year. Toseland was one of three riders, together with Corser (Suzuki) and Cardoso (Yamaha), who constantly lapped quicker than the rest today. Despite losing almost one hour with a technical problem on one 999F05 and a low-speed crash when he lost the front of his other machine, the world champion was feeling good about today’s performance.

“I’m a bit disappointed to be in fourth but I’m sure I would have done Cardoso’s lap time if I hadn’t lost a lot of time in the second session”, declared Toseland. “The balance of the bike feels good and the rear tyre is fine, but we still need to work on the front because it’s chewing the tyre up after 10 laps. Since last year the changes have made a massive improvement, especially the front forks and the weight transfer so I’m feeling a lot more confident now. Tomorrow I’m sure will be better than today once the track gets a bit more grip and I believe we’ll be down to 2 minutes flat”, he concluded.

Laconi preferred to have a cautious approach while he learnt the track and tried to perfect his set-up for the race. “We haven’t done so many laps in the dry this year and this track is very slippery and very difficult to learn immediately so I just took it steadily”, said Régis. “I’m not entirely happy with the feeling but we are working step by step to make the right settings. In the morning we sorted out the rear tyre but then in the afternoon we had a bit of difficulty with the durability of the front and we still have to get the right feeling. The track is nice, but you don’t have much line and if you go off, you can lose it. I am not surprised to see a lot of riders go fast today but the hardest thing is to go fast lap after lap and I hope to be in a position to do that in the race next week”.

OFFICIAL TIMES: 1. Cardoso (Yamaha) 2:02.618; 2. Corser (Suzuki) 2:03.044; 3. Kagayama (Suzuki) 2:03.309; 4. Toseland (Ducati Xerox) 2:03.347; 5. Nieto (Ducati SC) 2:03.759; 6. Muggeridge (Honda) 2:03.870; 7. Walker (Kawasaki) 2:03.927; 8. Gimbert (Yamaha) 2:03.999; 9. Laconi (Ducati Xerox) 2:04.011; 10. Silva (Yamaha) 2:04.077; etc.


More, from a press release issued by Scuderia SC Caracchi:

FIRST DIRECT CHALLENGE IN QATAR TESTS

On the 5380 meters of Losail circuit, close to the capital Doha in Qatar’s desert, the World Superbike and Supersport teams have had the first direct confrontation of the 2005 racing season.

A two-day test on this track, almost new for everybody, apart from a few riders moved in this season from GPs championship to Superbike arena which have the possibility to contest Qatar GP next fall. Big job for all the teams for setting the suspension and to select the tyre looking at the first round of the championship next week end. The sable flying from the desert onto the track, as well the surface has continuously cleaned, is a tyre-killer and the tyres go on just a few laps when the suspensions don’t work pefectly.

In Supersport Gianluca Nannelli, after the troubles with the front during the morning session, scored in the afternoon session a very good fifth fastest. The team and the rider made a big setting job and now the rear of the 749r Ducati is perfect. Go on some uncertainty in the front and the team will focus to solve tomorrow, in the final test day.

“We must believe this test the first ever on the 749R”. – said Gianluca Nannelli at the end of the test today. “We had never been able to test on dry conditions and it was important to verify all the work still made by the team. The bike scored the fastest top speed of all the group, thank the work made by Franco Farnè. The set up is quite good too, I’m the fastest in the first intermediate, then in the second I have not feeling with the front and I lose time from my rivals. I’m however quite satisfied for the result we got today, if we’ll be able to solve the front problem I’m confident we’ll earn a better position.”

In Superbike more as positive the debut of Fonsi Nieto, who on the 999RS made only some lap in wet condition during the Valencia test. The Spanish rider grabbed the fifth fastest, just a second behind the leader and ending before several factory bikes, carrying out a big work and running 61 laps to look the best feeling with a bike so different the machines he’s used before. Among other things Fonsi doesn’r ride street bikes, so the four stroke engine is totally new for him.

A bit behind Lorenzo Lanzi on the second 999RS. Despite the very good top speed (Lanzi was the fastest in the morning and the second fastest overall) the Italian rider has not been able to find a satisfying set up, which will try to find in the final day tomorrow.

Despite that Stefano Caracchi, SC Caracchi team owner della squadra, looks satisfied: “Lorenzo found more difficulties as he was expecting on this track very difficult for the tyres”. – commented the test day Caracchi. “But he’s a rider with great potential and I’m confident that, thank his crew work, he’ll be able to solve the today’s trouble and reach the position he deserves. Fonsi has been fantastic! We must remember that he made just a couple of day test under the rain in Valencia on the999RS and he rode just a second slower as the leader. We have a great trust in him, Fonsi is a great rider and just he’ll find the necessary feeling with the bike he’ll be one of the heroes of the racing season.”

Superbike – Saturday Test

1st Cardoso (Yamaha) 2:02.618; 2nd Corser (Suzuki) 2:03.044; 3rd Kagayama (Suzuki) 2:03.309; 4th Toseland (Ducati) 2:03.347; 5th Fonsi Nieto (Ducati SC Caracchi) 2:03.759; 6th Muggeridge (Honda) 2:03.870; 7th Walker (Kawasaki) 2:03.927; 8th Gimbert (Yamaha) 2:03.999; 9th Laconi (Ducati) 2:04.011; 10th Silva 2:04.077;…19th Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati SC Caracchi GA) 2:05.004

Supersport – Saturday Test

1st Charpentier (Honda) 2:04.716; 2nd Fabrizio (Honda) 2:05.982; 3rd Curtain (Yamaha) 2:06.397; 4th Parkes (Honda) 2:06.758; 5th Gianluca Nannelli (Ducati SC Caracchi) 2:06.960; 6th Chambon (Honda) 2:07.348; 7th Foret (Honda) 2:07.531; 8th Fujiwara (Honda) 2:07.812; 9th Cogan (Suzuki) 2:08.147; 10th Fores (Suzuki) 2:08.717

Copyright 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

A story appearing in the February 3 online edition of the “Modesto (California) Bee” newspaper (http://www.modbee.com), reported that racer Nicky Moore, 18, was arrested February 2 by the Modesto Police Department “for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon. Investigators believe he stabbed the victim twice in the leg and beat him with a baseball bat…” The alleged incident occurred January 28.

The report went on to state that Moore was being held in the Stanislaus County Jail in lieu of $20,000.

“It’s complicated. It’s not true,” Moore told Roadracingworld.com in a telephone interview February 18. “I just talked to the cops about it.

“I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Me and my girlfriend were on our way home from the movies, and we saw some of our buddies getting into a big fight, like with bats and stuff. I never got out of my truck, but my truck is real noticeable. It’s lifted like seven inches and has flames through the windows.

“They (Modesto Police) had me go down there (to the station) to give a statement. I was never arrested, never charged.

“The guy who got beat up is almost dating my sister. They’re talking and stuff. He knows I didn’t do it.”

Moore said he was never contacted by the Modesto Bee.

Roadracingworld.com then called the Modesto Police Department to clear up the conflicting stories and reached officer Rick Applegate in the MPD’s Media Relations department.

“He (Moore) was booked. I have a booking register that shows he was booked into the jail for assault with a deadly weapon and he posted $20,000 bail,” said Applegate, who was listed as a source in the Modesto Bee article.

Further attempts to reach Moore were unsuccessful.

From a press release issued by Telefonica Movistar Honda:

POSITIVE DAY OF TESTING FOR THE TELEFONICA MOVISTAR HONDA TEAM

Record of laps for Marco Melandri on his third day of testing: 122 laps in total, 1:30.90 his best time.

Phillip Island, 19th February 2005

Third and last day of testing for the Telefonica MoviStar Honda Team on the technical and demanding track of Phillip Island. While Sete Gibernau was on his way home, after having completed with success the programme of work scheduled for this Australian test, his team mate, Marco Melandri, worked hard today completing 122 laps.

Together with his team, Marco worked on the set up of the bike and made several tyre testing. When he found the best setting he started his long run, 27 consecutive laps equal to the race distance of 120,096 kms.


MARCO MELANDRI – 1:30.90 , 122 laps:
“Iit was a hard and long day of testing but I’m quite satisfied because I needed to recover mentally from the two crashes I had in the previous days. Together with the team, we worked this morning on the set up of the bike and tyre testing before starting a long run. The long run was quite good because I ran consistently on a pace of 1:31.4 which is faster than the pace I had during the last GP here in October. I made my best lap time at the 20th lap of the race simulation, this proves that I’m quite consistent. I still need to improve my time on the single lap. For the moment I want to concentrate on the race pace but from Irta test in Barcelona I will start working on the single lap. For the race, in fact, it’s important to take the start from the first rows. Now I have almost 10 days of holidays before next text session in Qatar, where I’d like to arrive more focused on myself and the work I have to carry out.”

The Telefonica Movistar Honda Team will be back to work at the beginning of March in Qatar for next pre-season text session that will take place at Losail circuit on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of March.


UNOFFICIAL LAP TIMES
1. Valentino Rossi 1:29.68
2. Nicky Hayden 1:29.78
3. Carlos Checa 1:29.86
4. Max Biaggi 1:29.88
5. Loris Capirossi 1:30.18
6. Colin Edwards 1:30.23
7. Alex Barros 1:30.55
8. Marco Melandri 1:30.90
9. Troy Baylis 1:30.90
10. Rubens Xaus 1:31.98
11. Elias 1:32.96

Guida pista Phillip island
Best Pole Position : Rossi (Honda -2003) 1:30.068
Official record of the track: Loris Capirossi (Ducati – 2004) 1:31.102



More, from a press release issued by Camel Honda:

Testing concludes in Australia: next on the agenda for Camel Honda is the Qatar test from 1st to 3rd March and the team presentation in Milan on 16th March.

Three days of tests in Malaysia followed by another three in Australia – a journey of ten days in total – came to an end in the final session today, with one last big effort from the team and riders. The Camel Honda team have worked hard every day and made the most of all the available track time as they look to find a base set-up for the RC211V 2005. Alex Barros was consistently amongst the top riders at the Malaysian test, working on the set-up of the electronics and tyres tests with optimum results. In Australia he has continued to work closely with the Michelin technicians with excellent feedback whilst a front fork test, which was the main focus of his work today, has left certain room for improvement. Troy Bayliss, who has to adapt not only to new technical staff in 2005 but also to a completely different bike to anything he has ridden up to now, has worked relentlessly to try and find a better feeling with the bike. Next on the agenda for Camel Honda is the Qatar test from 1st to 3rd March and the team presentation in Milan on 16th March.

Ramon Forcada – Camel Honda – (Alex Barros’ Chief Engineer)
“We were expecting a little bit more today from the tests we carried out on the front forks, which are specially designed for this circuit. However, there is still work to do. We’ve found a few good things related to the electronic settings and other things that we can discard. But that is exactly what tests are for and we’re still not even close to the start of the season. At the next tests in Qatar, where the track is dirty and slippery, it will be an ideal chance to work on the electronics of the bike.”

Alex Barros – Camel Honda – 1:30.55 (82 laps) 7th fastest
“We worked a lot on the new forks today but we honestly haven’t had the results we were hoping for. I’m losing half a second because of it because the rest of the bike is fine. There are two positive things to take out of it though – firstly that the race here in Australia is not until October, so we have plenty of time to make progress with the forks, and secondly I am really happy with the work we have done here and in Malaysia with Michelin. They are preparing very well for the new season and when we put all the data they have gathered from tests on the compound and construction into practice, I think the results will be excellent. We’ll be able to verify that in Qatar, although it is not the best circuit because we don’t have many references there, and definitely at the Irta tests in Spain”.

Santiago Mulero – Camel Honda (Troy Bayliss’ Chief Engineer)
“We’re still working hard. Today was more or less the same as yesterday in terms of lap times but the important thing is that Troy is lapping consistently with a good pace. In Malaysia we didn’t make much progress but here we have, so I think we should continue like this, making gradual progress with every lap without confusing matters.

Troy Bayliss – Camel Honda – 1:30.98 (85 laps) 10th fastest
“I did the same time on race tyres today as I did yesterday, which is more or less the same as I did at the GP here last October on qualifiers (1:30.87). We’re still not up there with the fast guys but we’re not far off. We’ve worked a lot over these few days and we will continue to do so at the next tests in Qatar. I can’t wait to get there actually – not because I like the track particularly but I just want to improve. In any case I’m leaving here lot happier than Malaysia.”

Unofficial lap times
1. Rossi (Yamaha) 1:29.68 ; 2. Hayden (Honda) 1:29.69; 3 Checa (Ducati) 1:29.86; 4. Biaggi (Honda) 1:29.88; 5. Capirossi (Ducati) 1:30.18; 6. Edwards (Yamaha) 1:30.23; 7. Barros (Camel Honda) 1:30.55; 8. Hopkins (Suzuki) 1:30.85; 9. Melandri (Honda) 1:30.90; 10. Bayliss (Camel Honda) 1:30.98; Roberts (Suzuki) 1:31.21; Xaus (Yamaha)1:31.98; Elias (Yamaha) 1:32.96


More, from a press release issued by Gauloises Yamaha:

Ambient temperature: 25 degrees
Track temperature: 30 degrees
Humidity: 45%

GAULOISES YAMAHA CONCLUDES ANTIPODEAN TESTING
The Gauloises Yamaha Team closed another stage in its demanding winter test programme today in Phillip Island, Australia, with Valentino Rossi taking the unofficial fastest lap time of the three days. In slightly cooler conditions than the previous two days, the Italian rider recorded a best time of 1:29.68, faster than his own circuit best time of 1:30.068 set during the 2003 Phillip Island round. Rossi’s new team-mate Colin Edwards also improved on his previous two days with an unofficial 1:30.23, quicker than his 2004 Australian Grand Prix official qualifying time of 1:30.625.

All riders present from the Yamaha, Honda, Ducati and Suzuki MotoGP teams, except Sete Gibernau, took advantage of the last opportunity to test at the Australian circuit before they will race there in October. Nearly all lapped under Loris Capirossi’s circuit lap record of 1:31.102, set last year.

Valentino Rossi (1:29.68, 57 laps)
“This morning we tried some different settings from yesterday and they worked better. We found more agility in the bike. Then we continued testing tyres for Michelin, which were good. The test has been quite positive and we have collected some useful information which we’ll continue to work with when we return here soon.”

Colin Edwards (1:30.60, 78 laps)
“Today was really encouraging, I got on with some really good tyres and played around a bit and the result and time was better. I didn’t do so many laps today but the ones I did were good. We checked out all the settings and we feel like we’ve made some progress. I’m heading back to the States now for a bit of family time before we come back here in a couple of weeks. I’m really excited about the news that we’re going to race in Turkey, Rio was always a cool place but it wasn’t one of my favourite tracks. It’s always fun to go to new tracks, and now we’ve got three new ones in a year, although Laguna isn’t so new for me.”

Davide Brivio, Gauloises Yamaha Team Director
“We finished the test at a good level, both riders have improved since the first day, and we’ve got some good information from the areas we needed to work in. It’s been a positive test for the riders and the bike. We look forward to coming back very soon to continue this development.”

The Gauloises Yamaha Team returns to the Phillip Island circuit for a three day test on 8 March.

Unofficial Lap Times:

1. VALENTINO ROSSI (Yamaha) 1:29.68 (57 laps)
2. Nicky Hayden (Honda) 1:29.78
3. Carlos Checa (Ducati) 1:29.86
4. Max Biaggi (Honda) 1:29.88
5. Loris Capirossi (Ducati) 1:30.18
6. COLIN EDWARDS (Yamaha) 1:30.23 (52 laps)
7. Alex Barros (Honda) 1:30.55
8. John Hopkins (Suzuki) 1:30.86
9. Troy Bayliss (Honda) 1:30.90
10. Marco Melandri (Honda) 1:30.90
11. Kenny Roberts (Suzuki) 1:31.21
12. Ruben Xaus (Yamaha) 1:31.98
13. Toni Elias (Yamaha) 1:32.16


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

MotoGP test Phillip Island – Australia. Final day of three-day test.
February 19, 2005.

HRC conclude successful Phillip Island MotoGP test session

The curtain came down on the three-day MotoGP test at Phillip Island, Australia today with the Honda tams and riders leaving for home in confident mood. Team technicians and HRC engineers back to base to analyse the data gathered from the three-day test the riders to recharge their batteries after six grueling day’s work over the last 10 days.

Three Honda RC211V riders broke the 1:30 barrier at Phillip Island Repsol Honda factory team rider the fastest of the over the three-day with his best time of today at 1:29.780. The American put the 2005 version of the 5-cylinder 990cc RCV through an extensive 106-laps at one stage running a race simulation distance which was 28-seconds faster than his race time at the GP held last October.

Hayden’s Repsol Honda teammate Max Biaggi worked even harder putting in 120-laps as he worked his way through a long programme of tyre testing for Michelin. At the end of the day Biaggi was close to exhaustion but pronounced himself happy with the results of the three-day test and the performance of his new technical crew.

Alex Barros (Camel Honda) spent his day testing the new front forks HRC brought to Phillip Island but at the end of the test had yet to find the optimum settings in combination with the range of front tyres he tried. Teammate Troy Bayliss left the track in more buoyant mood than following his three-day test at Sepang last week. The Australian, a former World Superbike Champion, has steadily improved on each of the three-days and his eager to et to the next MotoGP test, at the Losail circuit in Qatar on March 1-3, to continue the progress made at Phillip Island.

Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda:) had completed his test programme yesterday and took no part in the action today. His teammate, Italian Marco Melandri, did test and set impressive lap time his fastest of the day on his 20th lap of the session. Melandri is in his first season with the RC211V and has steadily improved his consistency to the point where he feels able to go for fast single laps times when the teams get to Losail next month.

Konica Minolta rider Makoto Tamada was another who sat out the day’s action. Tamada crashed heavily on Thursday and was sidelined with severe bruising to his left hand and left foot. The popular Japanese rider will be fit to test at Losail.


Honda rider lap times and quotes.

Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 1:29.780 – 106 laps.
“Today was the best day of the test for me, I got a good, long run in and recognised a bit more where we need to improve, both myself and the machine. I felt good and we made some positive steps forward and the race time I did was 28 seconds faster than my race time last year so we’re pretty happy with that – but it’s still not enough. We’ll take away what we’ve learnt here and move on to Qatar. I tried both chassis options that we’ve got and we learned a lot about the differences but overall I just felt more consistent today and some of that’s down to me getting into a rut yesterday. We’re still a new team but the atmosphere’s good and we’re gelling really well.”


Max Biaggi, Repsol Honda: 1:29.880 – 120 laps
“I am tired today after so many laps but I wanted to give Michelin the information they needed from the tyres they asked me to test – but I was praying for the red light at the end of the pit lane to end the day’s testing! At times today it was a little difficult as there were some spots of rain, which did little for your confidence, especially in the fast sweep into turn one. Overall we have had a good test and confirmed our feeling and direction with the machine set-up following last week’s test in Sepang. We know the areas we need to improve on and we have three tests in March to achieve that.”


Makoto Tanaka, Repsol Honda Team Manager:
“Overall we’ve had three good days here at Phillip Island. Max probably did too many laps today but it was good that he tried the tyres for Michelin Nicky had a good day today and discovered some areas of set-up which improved his performance. We know we still have a lot of work to do and will continue to work hard towards improving the machine in the next tests in Qatar and Spain.”


Alex Barros, Camel Honda: 1:30.55 – 82 laps.
“We worked a lot on the new forks today but we honestly haven’t had the results we were hoping for. I’m losing half a second because of it because the rest of the bike is fine. There are two positive things to take out of it though – firstly that the race here in Australia is not until October, so we have plenty of time to make progress with the forks, and secondly I am really happy with the work we have done here and in Malaysia with Michelin. They are preparing very well for the new season and when we put all the data they have gathered from tests on the compound and construction into practice, I think the results will be excellent. We’ll be able to verify that in Qatar, although it is not the best circuit because we don’t have many references there, and definitely at the IRTA tests in Spain.”


Ramon Forcada, Camel Honda – Alex Barros’ Chief Engineer.
“We were expecting a little bit more today from the tests we carried out on the front forks, which are specially designed for this circuit. However, there is still work to do. We’ve found a few good things related to the electronic settings and other things that we can discard. But that is exactly what tests are for and we’re still not even close to the start of the season. At the next tests in Qatar, where the track is dirty and slippery, it will be an ideal chance to work on the electronics of the bike.”


Troy Bayliss, Camel Honda: 1:30.98 – 85 laps.
“I did the same time on race tyres today as I did yesterday, which is more or less the same as I did at the GP here last October on qualifiers (1:30.87). We’re still not up there with the fast guys but we’re not far off. We’ve worked a lot over these few days and we will continue to do so at the next tests in Qatar. I can’t wait to get there actually – not because I like the track particularly but I just want to improve. In any case I’m leaving here lot happier than Malaysia.”


Santiago Mulero, Camel Honda- Troy Bayliss’ Chief Engineer.
“We’re still working hard. Today was more or less the same as yesterday in terms of lap times but the important thing is that Troy is lapping consistently with a good pace. In Malaysia we didn’t make much progress but here we have, so I think we should continue like this, making gradual progress with every lap without confusing matters.”


Telefonica MoviStar Honda:

Sete Gibernau, Telefonica MoviStar Honda: Completed his test on day two.

Makoto Tamada, Konica Minolta Honda: Did not test due to severe bruising sustained in a crash on the first day of the test.


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM CONCLUDES TESTING IN AUSTRALIA

Carlos Checa and Loris Capirossi again concentrated on tyre testing and race set-up at Phillip Island. The Ducati Marlboro Team back testing in Qatar from Tuesday March 1 onwards.

Phillip Island, 19 February 2005 – The Ducati Marlboro Team successfully concluded its Australian testing programme today at the Phillip Island circuit. In cloudy but mild conditions (22° air/29° track), Ducati engineers and riders continued development work on the Desmosedici GP5 with the new Bridgestone tyres. A few drops of rain fell at around midday, forcing the team to take a break, but the day’s testing schedule was unaffected.

Development work with the latest Bridgestone tyres is continuing and Carlos Checa and Loris Capirossi were able to use the Australian track for numerous tests with rear tyres, some new and others used previously, but all the while keeping the same set-up to concentrate exclusively on the different tyre reactions.

Spanish rider Carlos Checa was in particularly good form today, ending the test with a best time of 1:29.86 over 88 laps. Satisfied with the three-day testing session in Australia, Carlos tried to put in the maximum number of laps on the most promising rear tyres.

“I am really happy with this testing session, with my team and with my bike” declared Carlos. “We found a good base set-up for the Desmosedici and some very interesting indications on which to work in the future. Now it’s time for a short break and then we’ll be back to work in Qatar”.

Today Loris Capirossi focussed on suspension set-up but also on mapping work for the powerful Desmosedici engine and at the end of the day was pleased with the bike’s better ‘driveability’. Loris ended the Phillip Island session with a quickest time of 1:30.18 after completing 59 laps.

“I’m generally pretty pleased with my pace, which was quite good for several successive laps at around 1:30” said Capirossi. “We still have to do a bit more work over the longer distance, but I and my team are ready!”.

Satisfaction about the Australian tests was also expressed by Ducati Marlboro Team technical director Corrado Cecchinelli, who commented:
“Even though we lost a bit of time today due to a few drops of rain, we are very pleased with the way the test went: we did many consecutive laps in race set-up and gained a lot of information on how to evolve both the suspension set-up of the bike and the rear tyres. Even though we know that the weather conditions for the race will be a bit different, we gathered a lot of information which will be useful next October.”

The next tests for the Ducati Marlboro Team will be as follows:
March 1-3 at Doha (Qatar)
March 18-20 at the IRTA Tests, Catalunya (Spain)
March 25-27 at the IRTA Tests, Jerez de la Frontera (Spain)


More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

FORTUNA YAMAHA CONCLUDE THREE DAYS OF TESTS IN AUSTRALIA

The Fortuna Yamaha today concluded three days of tests at the Phillip Island circuit. For team riders Rubén Xaus and Toni Elías it was the end of two planned sessions at the Australian track.
Fortuna Yamaha rider Rubén Xaus completed 91 laps aboard his YZR M1. The Spanish rider, still suffering slightly from the effects of injury, was satisfied with the progress he is making. His team-mate Toni Elías was exhausted at the end of another day of hard work. The Spanish youngster tested different set-up configurations and tyre
combinations as he looks to analyse the reactions of his Yamaha YZR-M1. Elías also leaves the test in satisfied mood, after completing an intense programme alongside the team’s engineers and mechanics. The best time of the day was set by Gauloises Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi. The
Italian completed 57 laps of the circuit with a fastest lap of 1:29.68. Nicky Hayden (Honda, 1:29.78) and Carlos Checa (Ducati, 1:29.86) were second and third fastest respectively. The MotoGP teams will be back at Phillip Island in two weeks’ time.

Rubén Xaus, (1:31.98, 91 laps)

“We haven’t improved the lap time from yesterday but that’s not the main objective at the moment. We’re still getting to know the bike and I think it’s important not to rush that and to work consistently on it. It was a day of very hard work but it served to keep us on a progressive upward curve. I think we deserve a few days off but, honestly, I already want to get back on the bike!”

Toni Elías (1:32.96, 67 laps)

“We’ve had six days of tests more or less one after the other now and that’s starting to take its toll on every level. I’ve got to improve a lot because I’m still a long way off the times being set by the top riders but I think that’s normal given the circumstances and we just have to keep working. Everybody is giving me constant support and that is important for me to keep making progress. We’ve worked really well over the last few days and I’m satisfied even though I’m looking forward to a rest before coming back here to Australia. The whole team’s doing a great job.”


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

Encouraging Australian test for Team SUZUKI MotoGP

Team SUZUKI MotoGP completed its pre-season test at Phillip Island in Australia today with encouraging results.

Kenny Roberts Jr and John Hopkins had a busy three-day schedule, with emphasis placed on the latest engine control systems and an extensive Bridgestone tyre test. Many new updates are now expected for the all-important Official MotoGP Tests in March, following on from the lessons learnt in Malaysia and now Australia.

Both riders tested numerous new Bridgestone race compound and new construction tyres throughout the test. This allowed technicians and riders to analyse and compare vital data to improve all aspects of handling and control of the GSV-R over race distance.

Hopkins was especially pleased with the tyre test. He said: “Bridgestone have done a great job this week, they’ve made a race compound tyre that I’m really happy with – definitely the best I’ve ever used – so this is a really positive move for me and another step in the right direction.”

Roberts Jr was also happy with the progress made on all fronts, particularly on the engine control systems. He left the test looking forward to the next steps from Suzuki which will take the GSV-R’s increasingly competitive potential to the next level. Having missed the 2004 Australian GP through injury, this was also a good chance to re-familiarise himself with the challenging Phillip Island circuit.

Operations Manager Howard Plumpton said: “This has been another constructive test for Team SUZUKI MotoGP. We have again made more improvements to the GSV-R and are leaving Phillip Island with lots of valuable data. This test was not about lap times but progressing with the development of the bike. Even so, high 1:30 lap times are a big step forward from our 2004 pace and are a lot closer to the front runners. It is clear we still have to improve but everybody is pushing hard to achieve those improvements. The support from Bridgestone has again been excellent and I know they are working very hard on making the right tyres for the GSV-R- this has been emphasised by John’s upbeat reaction to the new compounds.”

Team SUZUKI MotoGP now travels to Spain for the first Official MotoGP Test at Barcelona on March 18th-20th, in preparation for the new MotoGP World Championship season beginning at Jerez in Spain on April 10th.

From a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki:

RIZLA SUZUKI British Superbike Champion John Reynolds broke his right leg during testing at Valencia in Spain today while his team mate Scott Smart made a successful debut on the GSX-R1000K5.

JR was nearing the end of his first day of testing on the all-new GSX-R1000K5 when he slid off at turn six of the 4.005km long Valencia circuit. He has broken the Tibia and Fibula in his right leg. He was transferred to Valencia General Hospital where he is now receiving treatment.

New team racer Smart enjoyed his first day riding for Rizla Suzuki and is looking forward to continuing with the final day of the test tomorrow.

Scott Smart:
“We spent most of my first day with Rizla Suzuki getting the GSX-R1000 to fit me. It is a tiny bike and was set up for a smaller rider, so we moved the handlebars, seat and footpegs quite a bit and I am much more comfortable now.

“We made some significant changes to the suspension this afternoon and by the time we had that sorted I was pretty tired and we decided to call it a day. It means I have a bike with a good base setting that I am looking forward to riding tomorrow.

“I am gutted for JR breaking his leg. I know the team are sorting out the best medical care possible for him and I wish him a very speedy recovery.”

Robert Wicks, team manager:
“We are marshalling every resource we have to make sure JR makes as quick a recovery as possible. Right now we are consulting with the hospital doctors and viewing X-rays to determine the best treatment for him.

“Scott had a very productive day and we have sent him to bed early – as our only rider on track tomorrow, he’s going to have his work cut out getting through everything that needs to be tested. The whole Rizla Suzuki squad has dug deep today through some difficult circumstances and I am proud of every single person.”

From a press release:

Team Sheriff Racing “Beat The Heat” Track Days

Team Sheriff Racing announced today that they will be expanding their “Beat The Heat” Street-Legal Racing program with the addition of track days at local area racetracks designed to introduce young riders to the track environment, while also educating them about the dangers of illegal street and ‘canyon’ racing.

“All of us on the team are really excited about the expansion of the program; we’ve been hard at work to make this happen,” said Deputy Michael Churney, Director of Team Sheriff Racing’s Motorcycle Division. “Due to the success of our ‘Beat The Heat’ program at local drag racing tracks, we decided that along with the creation of our Motorcycle Division, we needed to expand the program to educate the younger riders that are street racing or racing in the canyons, but have never been to the track.”

American Honda, Pro Honda Oils and Chemicals, Lockhart Phillips USA, Chatterbox USA, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Motorcycle Training Center (MTC Track Day), The Track Club (formerly Club Desmo), Take It 2 The Track, and Fastrack Riders will be sponsoring the events, which will be held at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Willow Springs International Raceway, and California Speedway.

“The motorcycle industry has really shown their commitment to the safety of the youth in our communities by making these events possible with their sponsorship. Thanks to the sponsors, we will be able to offer these events at a substantially reduced cost,” said Churney. “These events won’t be track schools, or cornering schools. They’re basically regular track days designed to provide an opportunity for riders that have never been on the track to come out to a track day for the first time, and introduce them to the track environment, while making it as easy and fun as possible. Part of our program also includes educating the riders about why the track is the place to push the limits of their machines and educating them about the dangers of doing it on the street. To help us with this, we will have the instructors from the track day organizers on the track as well as expert-level club racers (who are also certified MSF Instructors) on the track with them as well. And to top it off, there are a few AMA racers that have pledged their support as well. Jason Curtis (No Limit Motorsports), Jeff Tigert (TigerTeam Racing), and Nicky Moore (Moore Power Racing) have agreed to come out and participate, both on and off the track.”

Representatives from some of the sponsors will also be on hand to help riders, and answer questions on anything from riding gear to suspension setup.

The first Team Sheriff Racing “Beat The Heat” track day will be held in the Spring of this year. A schedule of the events (with locations, times, and costs) will be released in the immediate future.

For more information, contact Team Sheriff Racing at 818-883-2500 or visit their website at www.sheriffsracing.com.

From a press release issued by FIM:

FIM announcement. Changes to the 2005 MotoGP calendar

Following the lack of a signed contract, the Rio Grand Prix is cancelled. The Portuguese Grand Prix will be moved to April 17. The Turkish Grand Prix will take place on the new circuit of Istanbul on October 23. The calendar is the following:

Grand Prix Circuit
4-10 Spain Jerez
4-17 Portugal Estoril
5-1 China Shanghai
5-15 France Le Mans
6-5 Italy Mugello
6-12 Catalunya Catalunya
6-25 Netherlands ** Assen
7-10 United States * Laguna Seca
7-24 Great Britain Donington Park
7-31 Germany Sachsenring
8-28 Czech Republic Brno
9-18 Japan Motegi
9-25 Malaysia Sepang
10-1 Qatar ** Doha
10-16 Australia Phillip Island
10-23 Turkey *** Istambul
11-6 Valencia Valencia

*: Only MotoGP class
**: Saturday
***: Subject to contract

From a press release issued by Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.:

Team Yamaha Quickest in Pre-Daytona Test


Factory Yamaha Superstock and Supersport racebikes led the way at Laguna Seca on February 15-16 during the last official track test before Daytona Bike Week. The Factory Yamaha Team and Graves Motorsports, along with several competitors, shared time at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif. in order to dial in suspension, engine tuning and tire combinations. Aboard the YZF-R1 prepared by Graves Motorsports, factory rider Damon Buckmaster unofficially set the pace for Superstock bikes. Buckmaster was also unofficially quickest aboard the YZF-R6 Supersport machine once the Yamaha crew set up the suspension to his liking.

New R6 Makes a Great Racer

This year the 2005 R6’s improved power and new inverted fork will pay dividends to all four team riders including Buckmaster, Jason DiSalvo, Aaron Gobert and Jamie Hacking. So will its new radially mounted front calipers, which offer higher braking consistency, less drag and more even pad wear.

“The R6 is so good in stock form that it makes our job easier to dial it in,” said Team Manager Tom Halverson. “The stock geometry, frame and swingarm are good enough right out of the box for a professional rider to win championships on. It’s mostly a matter of dialing in the suspension to the track and to the rider’s individual style.”

Meanwhile the R1 has already benefited from a solid year of development, so the Graves Motorsports crew focused on testing tires, fine-tuning the fuel-injection mapping, and validating improvements made in the second half of 2004.

“The R1 is really pretty dialed in because of its year of development, and they already had a good setup from Laguna last year,” Halverson added.

Tracking What We Learn

During testing, both the R1 and R6 use onboard data-logging systems that allow engine and suspension information to be recorded, then downloaded onto laptop computers after every session. Yamaha records and uses two different kinds of data – analog and digital – to interpret how key motorcycle systems are working around the track. Examples of analog data include throttle position, engine air-to-fuel ratio, front and rear suspension movement, and brake pressure. Recorded digital information includes engine rpm, front and rear wheel speed, and lap times.

New Commercial to Debut

An interesting footnote to the testing was a new Yamaha television commercial that a crew was working on at the track. Rainy weather on the first day of the test allowed downtime for shooting some pit scenes focusing on 2004 AMA Superstock champion Aaron Gobert and his YZF-R1.

After regrouping in Cypress, Calif. this week, the Yamaha transporters will leave for Daytona right after Presidents Day. Stay tuned for an exciting Bike Week on March 9-12 and best of luck to the four factory riders and their crews – and of course to the R1 and new R6!


Editorial Note: The factory Yamaha transporter was seen at Willow Springs International Raceway February 18, but no riders or team members, other than the truck driver, were present.

From a press release issued by Camel Honda:

Camel Honda team continue working at Phillip Island

Temperatures of 26ºC and low winds at Phillip Island today gave the Camel Honda team riders the opportunity to complete a major part of their preseason testing programme. Troy Bayliss was in calm, concentrated and determined mood as he continued to improve his relationship with the RC211V step by step. At Phillip Island, a track which he likes and which today welcomed a large section of his fans, Troy is working on a base setting which will allow him to approach the season in the best possible way. Alex Barros today did a lot of work on the front fork settings and, although his rhythm on used tyres is improving, he is still not completely satisfied with the front end performance of his bike. The team are already preparing a different fork for him to try tomorrow. Alex also reacted to the breaking news that the Brazilian GP, his home race, has been cancelled.

Ramon Forcada – Camel Honda – (Alex Barros’ Chief Engineer)
“Today we tried every setting possible with the front fork but given that we haven’t taken many steps forward with it we are already preparing a new one for Alex to try tomorrow. This track is different to Sepang, there are no heavy braking areas, so we have to prepare a special fork which adapts to Phillip Island and other circuits with flowing corners like this. It’s good that we have the chance to work like this now because we will be ready when we come up against a similar situation at a Grand Prix, when you don’t have much time”.

Alex Barros – Camel Honda – 1:30.68 (93 laps) 8th fastest
“This morning we worked on the electronics and we were able to improve the odd thing. Since then we’ve been working on improving grip on the front end but we’re not succeeding at the moment, even after trying a lot of things with the forks and the geometry of the bike. The rear of the bike is fine but at the moment the front is preventing me from being as efficient as I could be. I’m having to lean too far over to take the corner and that means I’m not getting the most out of the tyre. Obviously we’ll keep working on that tomorrow. As far as the cancellation of the Rio GP is concerned, obviously I’m disappointed. It is the second time this has happened (the first was in 1998) but this is even more disappointing because it was probably going to be the last Grand Prix at this track. The city prefecture is actually planning to demolish part of the track and reduce the overall length to 3,100 metres. That means it would only have been used for national races”.

Santiago Mulero – Camel Honda (Troy Bayliss’ Chief Engineer)
“Troy is getting the measure of the RC211V. We’ve still got work to do, there’s no doubt about that, but we are all much more satisfied at the end of today. We have worked well with the tyres and we have found a setting for the cycle part of the bike that he likes quite a lot. Tomorrow we’ll keep working on it and we’ll also try some new settings in the electronics.”

Troy Bayliss – Camel Honda – 1:30.96 (75 laps) 10th fastest
“Better… things are starting to get better. I’m still not perfectly comfortable on the bike but we’re getting there. The whole team, myself included, are working really hard and even though we’re not satisfied with the lap times we can see that we’re making progress and that gives me confidence for tomorrow and the next tests. We’re working hard with the guys from Michelin, the tyres are perfect and together with the set-up of the bike, which we are defining bit by bit, we’re able to make progress in the right direction. We have to keep going like this.

Unofficial lap times
1. Gibernau (Honda) 1:29.85; 2. Checa (Ducati) 1:29.94; Biaggi (Honda) 1:29.97; 4. Rossi (Yamaha) 1:30.23; 5. Hayden (Honda) 1:30.44; 6. Capirossi (Ducati) 1:30.51; 7. Edwards (Yamaha) 1:30.57; 8. Barros (Camel Honda) 1:30.68; 9. Melandri (Honda) 1:30.95; 10. Bayliss (Honda) 1:30.96; 11. Roberts (Suzuki) 1:30.98; 12. Xaus (Ducati) 1:31.49; 13. Hopkins (Suzuki) 1:31.65; 14. Elias (Ducati) 1:32.87


More, from a press release issued by Telefoncia Movistar Honda:

SETE GIBERNAU CONFIRMS HIS LEADERSHIP

The Spaniard is the fastest and more consistent rider at Phillip Island.

Phillip Island, Australia, test day 2

Second day of test at Phillip Island, Australia, for the Telefonica MoviStar Honda MotoGP team.
The runner up Sete Gibernau worked today on the set up of the bike, running consistently since the beginning of the test session. During the afternoon he made a long run, improving both in lap time and consistency.

Not a very good day for his team mate, Marco Melandri, who spoiled a positive day of testing with a small crash, without consequences, at turn 6.


SETE GIBERNAU – 1:29.865, 81 laps:
“In Sepang we were not in the perfect conditions for a long run but there was not enough time to test. Here we worked on the set up of the bike, chassis and tyres and found the best combination of what we have. I lapped fast since this morning and the long run was quite good as I was lapping consistently in low 1:30.0. There are still some areas that can be improved but I’m happy because I have clear ideas and we are working in the right direction. The team is doing a great job and HRC and Michelin are helping us a lot.”


MARCO MELANDRI – 1:30.95 – 71 laps:
“It was not a good day, I’m sorry because I was doing well but the crash of this afternoon has spoiled today’s test session.

This morning we made some changes in the front of the bike and I had a better feeling in fact I was lapping consistently on low 1:31. In the afternoon we were looking for a final confirmation of our changes and we went back to the setting of this morning. It was a mistake, the bike was more difficult to ride and I lost the front, crashing at Turn 6. It’s a pity because I lost two hours of testing. Tomorrow I want to ride more carefully, even if this means to run 8 tenths slower. If possible, I would like to do a long run in the afternoon.”


Sete Gibernau ends with great results this australian test session: “we have concentrated in two days the work scheduled for this test session, testing all the new items. I leave Australia satisfied and look forward to next test session in Qatar” says the Spanish rider. The test session goes on tomorrow with Marco Melandri and the other motogp riders.

UNOFFICIAL LAP TIME
1. Sete Gibernau 1:29.865
2. Carlos Checa 1:29.94
3. Max Biaggi 1:29.97
4. Valentino Rossi 1:30.22
5. Nicky Hayden 1:30.43
6. Loris Capirossi 1:30.53
7. Colin Edwards 1:30.60
8. Alex Barros 1:30.65
9. Marco Melandri 1:30.95
10. Troy Baylis 1:30.96
11. Rubens Xaus 1:31.59
12. Elias 1:32.72

Phillip island
Best Pole Position : Rossi (Honda -2003) 1:30.068
Official record della pista : Loris Capirossi (Ducati – 2004) 1:31.102


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

CHECA AND THE DESMOSEDICI GP5 SET CRACKING PACE AT PHILLIP ISLAND.

The Spanish rider laps under the 2004 pole time. Team-mate Loris Capirossi carries out back-to-back tests.

Phillip Island (Australia), 18 February 2005 – Cloudy weather but ideal temperatures (28° air/33° track) greeted the Ducati Marlboro Team riders at the Phillip Island circuit, where the pace of the third winter testing session is starting to heat up.

After his harmless crash yesterday, Carlos Checa set a cracking pace today, recording the second quickest time of the day in 1:29.94. Checa’s time was lower than the pole mark recorded a few months ago by Sete Gibernau, and it was set with a new profile rear race tyre. During his 80 laps today, Carlos also carried out suspension set-up work on his Desmosedici GP5; he also made several outings with the modified frame, receiving similar impressions to when he tested the traditional frame, and working on different front forks set-up.

“Today we again worked well and I’m really happy” said Checa. “This morning we carried out a lot of testing on the suspension set-up and in the afternoon I tested several different rear tyres, some of which gave really good results”.

Loris Capirossi carried out numerous back-to-back tests during his 74 laps of the track, the Italian’s best time being 1:30.53. Capirossi lapped with both GP5 bikes at his disposal, one with the same set-up used during the last tests at Sepang and the other in race configuration, with a set-up very similar to the one he used in last season’s Australian GP, but Loris preferred the former.

“The back-to-back tests between the two set-ups enabled me to understand a lot of things” commented Loris. “There isn’t much difference between the times and I’m not particularly worried about not being at the top of the timesheets at the moment”.

The Desmosedici GP5 development and the Bridgestone tyre tests are continuing positively, and despite it being the first time that the new pairing has tested on the ultra-fast and technical Phillip Island track, it is already bringing positive results for the engineers of the two companies.

The Ducati Marlboro Team will conclude testing at Phillip Island tomorrow Saturday 19 February, before moving to Doha in Qatar from March 1-3, the final session before the official IRTA testing sessions at Catalunya (March 18-20) and Jerez (March 25-27).


More, from a press release issued by Gauloises Yamaha:

Ambient temperature: 26 degrees
Track temperature: 32 degrees
Humidity: 50%

GAULOISES YAMAHA MEN STEP UP THE PACE DOWN UNDER

Gauloises Yamaha Team riders Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards continued with their pre-season testing programme in Phillip Island, Australia today, finishing the day fourth and seventh fastest respectively in the unofficial standings. The riders both completed a long run of the Victoria circuit, as well as continuing with yet more important tyre testing for Michelin and working on small set-up changes. Teams from Yamaha, Honda, Ducati and Suzuki were out on the track alongside the Yamaha Factory Team riders, although Japanese Honda rider Makoto Tamada was unable to test due to minor injuries sustained in a crash yesterday.

Rossi rode 91 laps over the course of the day, although he was the victim of an unfortunate incident when he hit a bird as he exited pit lane. Despite this, he consistently completed laps in the 1:30s and finished the day fourth fastest with a best time of 1:30.22 – equal to the qualifying time he set at last year’s Australian Grand Prix. His American team-mate Colin Edwards, who finished fourth at the race here last October, completed 78 laps with a best time of 1:30.60, just a fraction of a second faster than his final qualifying time for the same race. Three riders were faster than Rossi on the track today and completed laps under the 1:30 mark; Sete Gibernau (Honda, 1:29.85), Carlos Checa (Ducati, 1:29.94) and Max Biaggi (Honda, 1:29.97).

Valentino Rossi (1:30,22, 91 laps) “I hit a bird as I was exiting the pit lane today and it went into my airbox; it fell out half way round the track and when I returned to the pit garage there were just some feathers left. I’d just like to say that I’m very sorry for the bird! We did a lot more tyre work today and also a long run, which I was quite happy with. I did some fast laps and it was an improvement on the race last October. We still need to make some changes to the chassis setting, as there’s something not quite perfect at the moment; tomorrow we will concentrate on this. Some other riders have managed to be very fast today with laps under 1:30; I didn’t manage this, but maybe if we can make some small improvements tomorrow I might be able to. We will see! Many people are talking about the news that the Grand Prix in Rio has been cancelled this year, and I’m sorry not to be able to go back there because I didn’t finish the race there last year, and it would have been good to have ended it on a high note.”

Colin Edwards (1:30.60, 78 laps)
“We continued working on bike set-up and we’ve found some really good improvements and solutions to some of our problems. We’ll continue to check these tomorrow. I did a long run today and we also did more tyre testing; I think we’ve done a really good job with Michelin during these tests. Tomorrow we’ll work to complete what we’ve started and hopefully we’ll be able to leave on a positive note. I’m looking forward to a bit of a rest before the next test!”

Davide Brivio, Gauloises Yamaha Team Director
“Today the riders both did a long run and many laps throughout the day. We did a lot more work for Michelin, which is really important at the moment. Tomorrow we will conclude our activities for this test and we are pleased with what we’ve done so far. However it will be good to come back again in just over two weeks to continue our pre-season work.”

Unofficial Lap Times:

1. Sete Gibernau (Honda) 1:29.85
2. Carlos Checa (Ducati) 1:29.94
3. Max Biaggi (Honda) 1:29.97
4. VALENTINO ROSSI (YAMAHA) 1:30.22

7. COLIN EDWARDS (YAMAHA) 1:30.60


More, from a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

FORTUNA YAMAHA CONCLUDE SECOND DAY OF TESTS IN AUSTRALIA

The Fortuna Yamaha team today completed their second day of tests at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia. Team riders Rubén Xaus and Toni Elías continued to familiarise themselves with their Yamaha YZR M1 machines at one of the fastest circuits in the world.

Fortuna Yamaha rider Rubén Xaus, who today celebrates his 27th birthday, improved his times from yesterday over the course of the day whilst continuing to adapt to the bike. Xaus, who has almost fully recovered from his injuries, completed 67 laps of the Australian circuit.

His team-mate Toni Elías continued on the same line of development, concentrating on aspects related to the chassis and suspension. The Spanish youngster, who is still being troubled by pain from his little finger having broken it last month, was quite satisfied with his day’s work.

The best time of the day was again set by Sete Gibernau (Honda 1:29.85), followed closely by Carlos Checa (Ducati, 1:29.94) and Max Biaggi (Honda, 1:29.97). Gauloises Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi (1:30.22) was fourth fastest whilst his team-mate Colin Edwards had to settle for the seventh fastest time with a lap of 1:30.60.

Rubén Xaus, (1:31.59, 67 laps)

“We tried to improve the lap times with the same tyres as yesterday. We’ve got to be patient and work in a constant manner to be able to progress. I am still recovering from my injury but I’m satisfied with the work we’ve done today. We have to find a compromise with the bike and I think that, together with all the members of the team, we’re doing a great job. In the afternoon myself and my Chief Mechanic Guy Coulon notice that we were a bit heavier.we’re a year older!”.

Toni Elías (1:32.72, 96 laps)

“We continued with our testing programme and I’m happy with the work we did today. We have to keep going like this and take everything one step at a time, which isn’t easy. We’re trying to adapt the whole bike to my size and shape and basically today we worked on the chassis and suspension. I’m satisfied.”


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

One-thirty barrier broken at Phillip Island

The lap record at the majestic 4.448km Phillip Island, Australia was shattered today as three riders set lap times inside the 1:30 lap bracket. The elusive threshold time barrier finally fell on the second day of the planned three-day MotoGP test at the Island circuit with Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda) Carlos Checa (Marlboro Ducati) and Repsol Honda factory team rider Max Biaggi dipping inside 1:30.

Fastest man of the day Gibernau had completed his test programme at the end of today and with nothing more is already on his way home. Before he ended the session Gibernau put in five fast 1:30 laps pronouncing himself satisfied with the results and the data gathered by the team and HRC Engineers.

His teammate, Italian Marco Melandri improved yet again. Testing a range of chassis and suspension setting he consistently lapped at 1:31. Hs day was not perfect as he slid off at turn at turn 6 (Siberia) a slow left-hand corner but escaped unscathed although his RC211V Honda sidelined Melandri for two hours.

Melandri’s fellow countryman Max Biaggi also crashed at Siberia, on his run down lap. At the time Biaggi was on his way to the pits to change a tyre that was causing front-end chatter. He lay the blame for the crash at his own door but was pleased with his overall performance on the second day at Phillip Island testing two versions of the RCV’s rear suspension links.

Nicky Hayden, on the second factory RC211V Repsol Honda, ran an astonishing 115 laps of the circuit. Hayden also tested the upper and lower mounted rear suspension links but found little difference. “I think really it boils down to what feels most comfortable for the rider,” said the young American.

The Camel Honda camp was one of mixed emotions at the end of the day. Brazilian Alex Barros was disappointed failing to find the amount of front-end grip he needed to set fast times while teammate Troy Bayliss was happier with his performance than at any time since joining the team.

Australian Bayliss is finally making progress and, although there is a long way to go before he feels completely at home on he RCV. All the hard work he and the team has put in over recent weeks is beginning to establish the direction he needs to take on machine set up. Using his vast knowledge of the circuit to full advantage Bayliss had a better understanding of the RCV than at any time during pre-season testing.

Fastest man at the Sepang MotoGP test of last week, Makoto Tamada did not test today. The Japanese rider crashed yesterday and although he emerged with no broken bones Tamada was badly bruised and very stiff and the team decided he would benefit from a day of rest before taking to the track again.


Honda rider lap times and quotes.

Sete Gibernau, Telefonica MoviStar Honda: 1:29.855 – 81 laps.
“In Sepang we were not in the perfect conditions for a long run but there was not enough time to test. Here we worked on the set up of the bike, chassis and tyres and found the best combination of what we have. I lapped fast since this morning and the long run was quite good as I was lapping consistently in low 1:30.0. There are still some areas that can be improved but I’m happy because I have clear ideas and we are working in the right direction. The team is doing a great job and HRC and Michelin are helping us a lot. We have concentrated in two days the work scheduled for this test session, testing all the new items. I leave Australia satisfied and look forward to next test session in Qatar.”


Marco Melandri, Telefonica MoviStar Honda: 1:30.953 – 71 laps.
“It was not a good day, I’m sorry because I was doing well but the crash of this afternoon has spoiled today’s test session. This morning we made some changes in the front of the bike and I had a better feeling in fact I was lapping consistently on low 1:31. In the afternoon we were looking for a final confirmation of our changes and we went back to the setting of this morning. It was a mistake, the bike was more difficult to ride and I lost the front, crashing at Turn 6. It’s a pity because I lost two-hours of testing. Tomorrow I want to ride more carefully, even if this means to run 8 tenths slower. If possible, I would like to do a long run in the afternoon.”


Max Biaggi, Repsol Honda: 1:29.97 – 96 laps.
“I felt stronger today even though I had a crash. We’ve definitely improved again today with a better suspension setting and the machine felt more consistent for a long period of time. I’m preferring the lower rear suspension link at the moment, the lap time between that and the upper link is the same but the feeling is slightly better with the lower link. But then a single lap doesn’t mean you will be fast in a race condition. The crash was my own fault really. We tried a new tyre and I knew quickly that the tyre could well be an improvement but it caused some chatter and the machine needed adjusting for the tyre. I lost the front at turn six on the lap I was coming back into the pits to make the adjustment, turn six was where the chatter was worst.”


Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 1:30.430 – 115 laps.
“We really got working on some chassis testing today, spent a lot of time trying to make the changes work and it was a valuable exercise. We then had a go with what I’m normally used to but I suppose that’s what testing is all about. I tried the lower rear suspension link today, for the first time since a test in Malaysia in 2003. There’s very little difference between the upper and lower links and I think it really boils down to what feels most comfortable for the rider. I did a lot of laps today, maybe too many, which is something we want to address tomorrow and hopefully I can get a good run on a rear race tyre and grab a fast lap along the way.”


Ramon Forcada – Camel Honda – (Alex Barros’ Chief Engineer)
“Today we tried every setting possible with the front fork but given that we haven’t taken many steps forward with it we are already preparing a new one for Alex to try tomorrow. This track is different to Sepang, there are no heavy braking areas, so we have to prepare a special fork which adapts to Phillip Island and other circuits with flowing corners like this. It’s good that we have the chance to work like this now because we will be ready when we come up against a similar situation at a Grand Prix, when you don’t have much time.”


Alex Barros, Camel Honda: 1:30.680 – 93 laps.
“This morning we worked on the electronics and we were able to improve the odd thing. Since then we’ve been working on improving grip on the front end but we’re not succeeding at the moment, even after trying a lot of things with the forks and the geometry of the bike. The rear of the bike is fine but at the moment the front is preventing me from being as efficient as I could be. I’m having to lean too far over to take the corner and that means I’m not getting the most out of the tyre. Obviously we’ll keep working on that tomorrow. As far as the cancellation of the Rio GP is concerned, obviously I’m disappointed. It is the second time this has happened (the first was in 1998) but this is even more disappointing because it was probably going to be the last Grand Prix at this track. The city prefecture is actually planning to demolish part of the track and reduce the overall length to 3,100 metres. That means it would only have been used for national races”.


Troy Bayliss, Camel Honda: 1:30.961 – 75 laps.
“Better… things are starting to get better. I’m still not perfectly comfortable on the bike but we’re getting there. The whole team, myself included, are working really hard and even though we’re not satisfied with the lap times we can see that we’re making progress and that gives me confidence for tomorrow and the next tests. We’re working hard with the guys from Michelin, the tyres are perfect and together with the set-up of the bike, which we are defining bit by bit, we’re able to make progress in the right direction. We have to keep going like this.”


Santiago Mulero, Camel Honda – Troy Bayliss’ Chief Engineer.
“Troy is getting the measure of the RC211V. We’ve still got work to do, there’s no doubt about that, but we are all much more satisfied at the end of today. We have worked well with the tyres and we have found a setting for the cycle part of the bike that he likes quite a lot. Tomorrow we’ll keep working on it and we’ll also try some new settings in the electronics.”


Makoto Tamada, Konica Minolta Honda: Did not test today.