From a press release issued by Daytona International Speedway:

Ben Bostrom To Appear In Classic Cycle Club

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Feb. 18, 2004) – For the first time during Daytona 200 Week, Daytona International Speedway will offer a question and answer session in the Classic Cycle Club with a premier rider on the U.S. Chevy Trucks AMA
Superbike circuit.

Ben Bostrom, who’ll compete in the 63rd Daytona 200 By Arai on Saturday, March 6 aboard the No. 155 American Honda, will participate in a question and answer session with fans in the Classic Cycle Club the morning of the race. The 63rd Daytona 200 By Arai, one of the most prestigious motorcycle races in the world, goes green shortly after 2 p.m.

The Classic Cycle Club is a hospitality package that includes private suite access in the Nextel Tower, infield, paddock and garage access, preferred parking (first come, first parked basis), souvenir event pin, souvenir program and credential holder (with two-day package only).

The Classic Cycle Club is available for both the Friday night, March 5 Daytona Supercross By Honda and the Saturday, March 6 Daytona 200 By Arai. Two-day packages are $235 per person while a single-day Classic Cycle Club package for the Daytona Supercross By Honda is $120 per person and a single-day package for the Daytona 200 By Arai is $130 per person.

To purchase tickets for any of the Daytona 200 Week events, including the Classic Cycle Club, call 1-800-PITSHOP or log on to
http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

From a press release issued by Woodcraft:

Woodcraft is proud to announce the addition of Titanium Force Exhaust Systems to its line of road race products. Titanium Force makes a complete line of full titanium road race and motocross systems, as well as a line of stainless steel systems.

“I have tested a lot of different systems,” quoted Woodcraft’s President Eric Wood, “and I was extremely impressed with the lightness, build quality and outright performance of the Ti Force systems. I wanted Woodcraft to be able to offer the best possible exhaust systems a racer could buy, and Ti Force was exactly what we were looking for.”

More information is available through Woodcraft at (508)339-5772.

From a press release issued by Mat Mladin Motorsports:

Yoshimura Suzuki team test
California Speedway, Fontana, California, USA

CONFIDENCE HIGH FOR MLADIN AFTER SUCCESSUL SUPERBIKE TEST AT CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY

Fontana, California, USA – Defending American Superbike champion Mat Mladin and his Yoshimura Suzuki team took full advantage of near perfect weather conditions to record some of the fastest lap times the team have recorded at California Speedway.

The team completed the two-day test (held over Monday and Tuesday, Feb 16 & 17) feeling very upbeat with what was achieved and given that the season opening race at Daytona is only a matter of weeks away Mladin and his crew are full of enthusiasm for the season ahead where he will be aiming at an unprecedented fifth AMA Superbike crown.

“The test went very well for us as we had a combination of great weather plus a bunch of new stuff to try on the bike which all worked out at the end of the second day,” said Mladin.

“It’s always good to have some things to check and evaluate with the bike and that’s what we did here. Showa, our team’s suspension supplier, also had a bunch of new things to try that at the end of the second day saw us tun a flat 1:25 lap, the fastest we’ve been around here on a race tyre on the GSX-R1000.

“Our lap times started coming together after lunch on the second day. Prior to that we were just doing our normal routine of checking through the new stuff, see what worked and then put it all together. I’m happy with where we ended up.

“This year with the new rule changes we will be down a bit on speed, it’s something that we knew would happen, so to counter that, the team is working hard at getting the chassis package as best we can. We know we can get around at a quicker pace while not having the best top speed, as that’s what we had to do when we ran the old 750. The rules may have changed slightly from last year, but that has not taken our focus away from winning the championship again.”

Tyres have been a controversial topic in America in recent months, with all of the tyre manufacturers working overtime to ensure that their products can cope with the demands placed on them by the current batch of high performance 1000cc motorcycles that compete in both the Superbike and Superstock classes in the AMA Championship.

“Tyres have been a problem lately, but I know that Dunlop have been working hard to get their product right for us to use. We have worked very closely with them in developing the new tyres and I know there is still a way to go with this and I’m confident that they are heading in the right direction.”

The tyre controversy came to a head at the annual tyre test sessions at Daytona in December 2003. A number of failures occurred which then led to a number of riders including Mladin (a two time winner at the famed banked circuit), voice their concerns as to whether Daytona had outgrown the current crop of race motorcycles.

“I still feel the same way about Daytona as I did when we were there in December last year, the only thing is that I may have said a few things in the heat of the moment that I shouldn’t have had. What I can say is that I will be racing a Superbike there this year in the 200, but will be planning our race according to the conditions. The title of ‘Mr Daytona’ doesn’t do anything for me, what I’m here for is to win championships. There are eighteen races in this year’s championship and that is only one of them.”

Mladin and his Yoshimura Suzuki team have completed their pre-season testing schedule and will now make final preparation to their machines before making the trip cross country to Daytona for the opening round of the championship, the Daytona 200, which for the first time will be held on a Saturday (March 6).

From a press release:

Monumental Cleanup Effort Starts When Daytona 500 Ends

Daytona Beach, Fla. (Feb.18, 2004) — When the drivers in the Nextel Cup Series finished the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 15, the crew from Cleanevent USA took over the world famous superspeedway.

On Tuesday, Feb. 17, Cleanevent began picking up after the largest single-day sporting event in the U.S. More than 250,000 spectators attended the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, making the clean-up effort one of the biggest jobs of the year for Cleanevent USA, the industry leader in large scale event and venue presentation and waste management consultancy services.

The amount of garbage to be picked up is equal in tons to the weight of the entire 43-car starting field of the Daytona 500. Cleanevent will utilize more than 200 workers a day and will spend two weeks to completely cover the 700 plus acres, 168,000 grandstand seats, 3,000 trash cans and 110 restrooms that are part of the company’s service commitment. Over the years, race fans at the track have left behind unusual traces of their Speedweeks experience. Clean up crews have hauled away everything from furniture, to outdoor grills, to plastic swimming pools, to automobiles.

In 2003, Cleanevent USA served more than 6.65 million spectators at events in 15 cities and 11 states in the U.S. Those 6.65 million spectators took part in the 77 events that Cleanevent serviced from Florida to New York, Atlanta to Illinois.

At venues across the globe, Cleanevent ensures a sanitary environment for participants and guests. The company, which managed event and venue cleaning and waste management operations for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games, the 2000 Sydney Olympic games and the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic games, recently announced it will take a lead role as a vendor for the 2004 Athens Olympic games.

Since 1987, Cleanevent has been on hand at national and international sporting and entertainment venues to “keep it clean.” Cleanevent, with headquarters in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, was recognized in 2002 with the American Express Award for Fastest Growing Small Business and with the Travelex Export Entrepreneur Award.

From a press release issued by Camel Honda Racing Press Information:

Second good day of tests for Makoto Tamada on Phillip island

Makoto Tamada has completed a highly positive second day of tests on the Australian circuit at Phillip Island. The pre-championship work programme, which is aiming to fine-tune the set-up of the RC211V as much as possible, today gave the results the technicians had been hoping for. After posting a lap time with the bike in race configuration 7 tenths quicker than in the official qualifying sessions of the GP last year, Makoto also worked to obtain a constant and fast pace.

Without using softer tyres in order to improve performance on the single lap, Makoto managed to accomplish a series of fast laps that showed how his confidence with the RC211V 2004 has already reached an excellent level.

Tests on the new materials, which started out in at Sepang, were also concluded this week in Australia. The results achieved are considered satisfactory and an extra day of tests will not be necessary. The next objective – race simulations – are being planned for the forthcoming tests in Catalunya.

Makoto Tamada (# 6 – Camel Honda Team – Bridgestone Tyres)
“I must say that today was extremely important. In the end we put together all the research work we’ve done on the settings of the 2004 bike since the beginning of the year. I think we’ve found a series of adjustments that will form a very good point of departure on many of the world championship circuits, and that will require only just a few tweaks to adapt the bike to the characteristics of each circuit. This is an important result and it will let us focus our preparatory work for each race this season on the choice of tyres.”

Giulio Bernardelle (Technical manager for Makoto Tamada – Camel Honda)
“The ideal weather conditions today again let us successfully complete a series of tests. Makoto Tamada showed he is able to maintain a fast and constant pace. We still need to examine one important aspect in order to prepare for the season: Grand Prix simulations. The next opportunity we’ll have to do this will be in Catalunya, and there we’ll see if Makoto is able to go as fast as he’s been going now for the entire duration of a race. Indeed, if we can create a top-level bike/tyre “package”, we’ll also be able to get up front more than once.”


Times on second day of tests:

Makoto Tamada: 1:31.25 – 54 laps
MAX BIAGGI: 1:31.07 – 86 laps


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

Honda teams continue to improve at sun drenched Phillip Island test

Day two of three at Honda’s official testing session at the Australian circuit on Phillip Island took place today, with temperatures soaring once more and conditions near perfect for the MotoGP riders who took to the track. The air temperature was recorded at around 25ºC although it certainly felt a great deal more out of the shade, whilst the track itself fluctuated in temperature between 35º and 40º C depending on the strength of the breezes which continue to blow gently around the picturesque track.

Telefonica MoviStar pairing of Sete Gibernau and Colin Edwards have consistently produced results during recent test sessions, and continued in the same vain today, both posting improved times from yesterday, and proving that they will undoubtedly be in the hunt for the 2004 MotoGP title.

Also sure to be in the title chase are Repsol Honda duo Nicky Hayden and Alex Barros who had their own slight problems today. Hayden, who ran a race distance simulation, was seeking a faster line through two corners, while team debutant Barros spent his time comparing various wheelbase and suspension settings on his RC211V.

Nobody would discount the chances of three-time MotoGP runner-up Max Biaggi in the 16-round series but the Italian is suffering from a cold and did not deliver his best performance today. Biaggi’s daring Camel Honda teammate Makoto Tamada, the only RCV rider using Bridgestone tyres, concentrated his efforts on front end of his machine trying various front fork, and a multitude of settings in a bid to find the best tyre – suspension performance.

Sete Gibernau – 1:30.81 60 laps

“We made a big improvement in terms of setting up the bike today, just by making some small adjustments to the machine has made a big difference. This hasn’t ever been the best track for me, because I’ve never quite been able to get the right balance on the bike. Usually I’ve got too much on the front or then on the rear, and not been able to use both wheels at the same time at the critical parts of the track. This time though I’m consistently going well, and that’s my goal, to focus on the racing aspect. My concern is to get my pace right, to ride in my own style, and it’s coming together here.”

Colin Edwards – 1:30.97 58 laps

“Today was awesome, my best day of testing with the Honda so far. I felt good, the bike was good and did a full race simulation of 27 laps. I was about 21 seconds faster than Valentino’s time in the race, and we all know he pushed it hard here after that yellow flag. A 1:31.6 must have been my slowest I reckon, it was good, and my best lap of 1’30.97 came on lap three of the simulation, so I was pleased. We made some small gear ratio changes overnight, it wasn’t the be all and end all but it certainly helped a bit. This place is fun though and I know it well, when I did the race simulation I just forgot about it and got on with the laps, I soon forgot how many I’d done and it was much easier than say 10 laps at Sepang, I’m just comfortable.”

Max Biaggi – 1:31.07 86 laps

“I’ve spent most of today with a cold to be honest. My temperature’s normal, but it’s just a bit of a cough and I feel cold all the time. Other than that we have two bikes, one we didn’t use because there is a lot of front wheel jumping, like a big chatter. Also in Malaysia we couldn’t fix this, it feels like maybe a structural problem or something, maybe with the swinging arm or chassis, we don’t know. So yesterday and today I just concentrated on my second bike, which has no chatter, but doesn’t quite have the same feeling. I can’t go really fast because I don’t feel as confident in it. I’ve tried but it’s easy to go straight on. We don’t have a spare chassis, and it’s no advantage to use one bike. But we’ll keep working hard on it tomorrow, and see what we can do. ”

Nicky Hayden – 1:31.18 88 laps

“Today was OK but I still would have liked to have made more progress. We’ve been trying to find a good base set-up after the big tyre test yesterday. We changed things around a little and found a base that worked better although we still tried some more tyres today. I did a long 25-lap run that was faster than my race time (Hayden finished third in the race). I did my best lap time at the end of the day, which is encouraging. I’ve got a few things to think about tonight – where I can really gain a little time – the S-corner in particular. I want to end the test on a high tomorrow and have a big day – just like the final day in Sepang.”

Makoto Tamada – 1:31.25 54 laps

“I’ve been working on the front fork and tyre settings mainly today, as well as some engine mapping. Our Bridgestone tyres mean that me can’t use the same data as the other Honda riders who are all on Michelins, so we’ve been looking at improving the engine’s performance, and especially in finding some more rear wheel grip. When I came here the bike was set-up well, we’re just looking to try to improve it. I never get tired of testing and would go on past tomorrow if I could, to make sure we get it all right.”

Alex Barros – 1:31.59 88 laps

“Yesterday I made a lot of laps – many of them consecutive – and felt pretty sore this morning with the shoulder. We made quite a few changes on the machine to help it turn better – we use the 16.5 inch front rim – and everything started to feel better and it was possible to go faster. However as the day moved on my shoulder started to feel some pain so I listen to my body. I will take a good rest tonight and use the ice again that helps. Tomorrow we will start with the same settings and hope to finish this important test session in good shape.”


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

CAPIROSSI QUICKEST AT PHILLIP ISLAND

DESMOSEDICI GP4 MAKES MAJOR PROGRESS IN AUSTRALIA TESTING

Phillip Island (Australia), 18 February, 2004 – Loris Capirossi powered to the quickest time in today’s second day of testing at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia, where the Desmosedici GP4’s development programme is continuing. Both Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss made major progress from yesterday and the early indications given by the Ducati Marlboro Team riders to the engineers are beginning to confirm the new bike’s potential.

Today’s weather conditions saw clear skies and a light wind typical of the spectacular Australian circuit, while temperatures were similar to yesterday (air 19° – 25° ; track 21° – 48°).

Loris Capirossi saw all the hard work of the past few days rewarded with a superb lap time of 1’30.71 in his 65 laps. This was not only the best time of the day, but also almost two seconds quicker than yesterday, and just two tenths of a second slower than the time he set in Australian GP qualifying last year on soft tyres. “That was really good” commented Capirossi at the end of today’s session. “The changes we made to the set-up confirmed that the bike has great potential. I lapped most of the day with the familiar 17″ front tyre to verify the new set-up of the GP4 and it was only towards the end of the session that I used the 16.5″ front. Tomorrow I’ll concentrate exclusively on this new tyre.”

Troy Bayliss also focussed on finding the best set-up for the Desmosedici on his home circuit, the Australian knocking almost a second off yesterday’s time. Troy completed 63 laps, recording 1:31.56. “I’m pleased with the progress we made today” declared the Australian. “I’m still missing a bit of feeling with the front, but we’re gradually getting there. We’re working on it and we know exactly where to intervene to improve the bike.”

Tomorrow is the third and final day of testing for the Ducati Marlboro Team, which after returning to Europe will continue its development schedule at the Valencia circuit in Spain on 6-7 March.


More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:

YAMAHA MOTOGP MEN MAKE STEADY PROGRESS DOWN UNDER

Yamaha’s two MotoGP teams spent a mostly successful second day testing at the Australian Phillip Island circuit today in near perfect sunny but breezy conditions alongside several of their MotoGP competitors. The morning was unfortunately marred when ex-World Superbike rider and MotoGP rookie Ruben Xaus (Ducati) had a bad fall coming out of a right-hand corner. The Spaniard was flown to a Melbourne hospital by helicopter with concussion but is said to be recovering under observation. Yamaha rider Norick Abe walked away unharmed from a fall in the final stages of the session, and chose to sit out the last 20 minutes while debriefing with his crew.

Twenty-five-year-old reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi took the second fastest time of the day (1:30.76), seven-tenths of a second faster than the time that he set yesterday, and just 0.05 seconds from leader of today’s time charts, Ducati rider Loris Capirossi (1:30.71). Spanish Sete Gibernau (Honda) closely followed the pair with a best time of 1:30.81, while fellow Honda pair Max Biaggi and Nicky Hayden set impressive respective times of 1:31.07 and 1:31.18. Fortuna Gauloises Yamaha rider Marco Melandri was second fastest of the Yamaha line-up with a best time of 1:31.70.

Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha rider Rossi continued to test one engine spec today, which he will continue with for the final day of testing tomorrow. Towards the end of the day the youthful Italian tested new tyres with team partner Michelin. Meanwhile his Spanish team-mate Carlos Checa continued to make small set-up alterations, while Tech 3 rider Melandri enjoyed his best day of testing so far this year while recovering from a shoulder operation he had in October. Melandri’s colleague Norick Abe also had a much better day, until his unlucky fall stopped his session slightly early.

Valentino Rossi (Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha) 70 laps, 1:30.76

“I’m very happy in general, the engine works very well here, and the difference is quite clear from the other engine spec we tried before. We still need to find more horsepower as that’s where we are losing out to the others at the moment. We tested some new Michelin tyres towards the end of the day which was quite helpful, and in general we’re taking our time to find the ideal set-up rather than going flat out for hot laps. We hope to do a race simulation tomorrow, and who knows, maybe we can improve on this good lap time.”

Carlos Checa (Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha) 70 laps, 1:31.80

“I am a bit disappointed today because we still couldn’t get to the level we are looking for. We kept trying for a more competitive set-up but didn’t find it. We’re working with the same engine spec, and are still making minor chassis alterations. We planned to put in a fresh engine for tomorrow, the last day of the test, so we stopped a bit early today. I really hope we make a breakthrough tomorrow.”

Davide Brivio (Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha Team Director)

“We have mixed feelings in the team because Valentino and his crew were very pleased with the job they made, and the rider is very positive with the changes made to suspension and engine. He is up there with the top group and has been both in Sepang and here, so even though we know we still have a lot of work to do for him, it’s a positive and motivating situation. Carlos, on the other hand, had a difficult day again and is still struggling to find his way at this circuit and feel totally comfortable with the bike. We will help him as much as we can to remedy this situation, his crew are working extremely hard as always, and will continue in the same way tomorrow.”

Marco Melandri (Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3) 84 laps, 1:31.70

“It was a difficult day but it was better than yesterday because we made more consistent laps, and tested different rear tyres. Some of the tyres were better than others and it was clear which were better. We’re still using the 16.5 inch front tyres and we made some more very small suspension settings. I would really like to try and go for 15 to 20 laps in a row tomorrow but the only problem is that I feel so tired right now. If we do that many laps we will have to do them in the morning because I don’t know if I will last until the afternoon! My shoulder and my back are aching now; I’m so exhausted from doing so many laps today. Anyway, in general I’m feeling quite positive, much more so than in Sepang.”

Guy Colon (Marco’s Crew Chief):

“Marco’s time was better today, he did many consistently good lap times close to 1:32.0. We did some good work with the chassis and good work with the engine braking system. We have really made improvements since Sepang. We also did a good tyre test with Michelin. He did so many laps that he was worn out at the end of the day but his condition is getting better every day. Tomorrow we hope to do many more laps in a row, in preparation for the race here.”

Norick Abe (Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3) 54 laps, 1:33.74

“Still not such a good day for me today but I tried many different settings and I was feeling okay towards the end of the day before I fell off. I hit my head when I fell but I feel okay now. I finished early though as I thought that would be safer than going straight out again after hitting my head. We have another day tomorrow and then 3 days next time we’re here. I don’t want to crash again so I’m going to take it a bit easier tomorrow, but at least I managed to improve my lap time slightly today.”

From a press release issued by Camel Honda Racing Information:

First day of “Australian” tests for Makoto Tamada
on Phillip Island

Just time to check the arrival of the bikes and materials from the recent tests in Malaysia, and the top world championship teams are back on track. Another session of private tests – the third this year – now on the ocean-side circuit on Phillip Island. The first of the three days on the programme gave participants perfect weather conditions: 26°C (79°F) air temperature and 30° and 36° (86° and 97°) on the ground in the morning and the afternoon respectively. Clear skies and summer heat mitigated by the ever-present wind on the island. The ideal conditions to clock up the miles and get ready for the start of the 2004 championship –which is getting closer and closer.

Makoto Tamada spent his time finding out about his 2004 RC211V. Starting off from the settings used in the 2003 race here in Australia, he checked out and appreciated the various advanced adjustment possibilities that have given this year’s RC211V its competitive edge.

Makoto Tamada (# 6 – Camel Honda – Bridgestone Tyres)
“I’m pleased about how we’ve been able to get to work so fast and so well with the new bike – on a track that’s so different from Sepang. This is a fast circuit with a very characteristic rhythm, but we quickly adapted my RC211V. We concentrated the development work on the tyres by focusing on a fairly limited number of compounds and the ideal weather conditions came in the afternoon. Over the next two days we’ll be able to work out even more precise settings for the bike.”

Giulio Bernardelle (Technical director for Makoto Tamada – Camel Honda)
“I’m really satisfied with the way the rider works, making it possible for us to carry out a targeted search for the perfect settings. We’re building on the experience we gained last season in order to achieve an important objective: that of getting onto every single world championship circuit with the right set-up and the right tyres. What we’re really concentrating on in these tests is the engine, the electronics, the chassis and the suspension. The 2004 bike gives us greater range of manoeuvre and the research work – adapting the bike to the various circuits – is really exciting.”


Times on first day of tests:

Makoto Tamada: 1:31.85 – 56 laps
Max Biaggi: 1:31.40 – 75 laps

From a press release issued by Buell:

BUELL AND BRAG ANNOUNCE F-USA THUNDERBIKE SUPPORT PROGRAM

$70,500 Contingency Program Offered to Privateer Buell Roadracers

MILWAUKEE (February 17, 2004) – Buell Motorcycle Company and Buell Riders Adventure Group (BRAG), the factory sponsored club for Buell owners, recently announced a new roadracing support program for 2004, with $70,500 in contingency paid to racers aboard Buell motorcycles in the eight-round national Formula USA Thunderbike class. Buell and BRAG will offer Buell racers $8,000 per race in contingency paid back to 15th place, in addition to Formula USA’s $2,000 Thunderbike purse, plus a $6,500 championship bonus for Buell racers paid back to 5th place, supplemented by Formula USA’s $5,500 championship bonus.

“We’re proud to support the efforts of privateer Buell racers in Formula USA’s National Thunderbike class, and with BRAG’s help, we were able to increase the purse of our contingency program by 15 percent,” said Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Buell Motorcycle Company.

The Formula USA Thunderbike class will be a featured event at all eight Formula USA National Road Race Series rounds. The events will be held at Daytona International Speedway, February 26-29; Road America, April 23-25; Summit Point Raceway, May 29-31; New Hampshire International Speedway, June 18-20; Virginia International Raceway, June 25-27; Barber Motorsports Park, August 13-15; Las Vegas Classic Course, September 24-26; and the Daytona finale, October 22-24. Buell’s Henry Duga and the Buell Racing Support Van will be present at each F-USA National event to provide assistance to Buell racers.

Formula USA’s 2003 Thunderbike class champion Dave Estok is expected to defend his title against fellow Buell racers Dan Bilansky, Bryan Bemisderfer, Jeff Johnson, Richie Morris, Joe Roszynski and many others, including riders aboard Suzuki, Ducati, Honda, Yamaha and BMW motorcycles.

To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and performance only found on board a Buell. Call 1-800-490-9635 for the Buell dealer nearest you. To learn more about BRAG go to www.buell.com

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Dunlop-sponsored AMA teams are testing at California Speedway in Fontana, California for the second day today, while the crew for Michelin-sponsored Ducati Austin watches, its bikes unloaded and awaiting the start of Michelin testing tomorrow.

Teams fielded by Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha tested yesterday and American Honda’s Superbike truck arrived this morning.

Dunlop and Michelin-sponsored teams used to test together, sharing track time and expenses. That team co-op effort, which has been in place at least seven years, ended in late 2003 when Dunlop bought up all 2004 co-op scheduled test dates, to exclude Michelin teams.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Dennis Noyes

The struggling Suzuki MotoGP team, originally intending to test this week at Phillip Island along with Honda, Yamaha, Ducati and Aprilia, has moved its next Phillip Island tests back to February 23-26 where it will be joined by Kawasaki and Proton teams.

A catastrophic Bridgestone tire failure on Kenny Lee Roberts’ machine at the end of the long back straight caused the American to crash just after overtaking Jeremy McWilliams on the factory Aprilia on the first day of the recently-concluded Sepang (Malaysia) tests.

The team said that Roberts had only bruised his collarbone in the incident, but the decision to roll back the tests has raised speculation that Roberts may have broken the collarbone or further aggravated the chest injury that he suffered last year at Mugello. At present the team continues to list Roberts’ injury as a “bruised collarbone.”

This was the second pre-season crash directly attributable to a Bridgestone rear tire failure. Makoto Tamada’s RC211V Honda suffered a similar rear tire problem at the final day of the previous Speang tests on January 22, but Tamada was able to avoid a crash.

After the Roberts crash Suzuki officials called in their riders and did not return to the track until the next day while Bridgstone technicians investigated.

Although Suzuki took part in the Sepang tests with Japanese test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi and newly-signed Spanish test rider Gregorio Lavilla, the team found itself without either of its regulars after Roberts’ crash. Roberts’ teammate John Hopkins was not present in Sepang due to suffering fractures in both ankles when he crashed during practice for an exhibition race at the San Diego Supercross.

By moving back the test, Suzuki officials gave more time for recovery of both regular team riders and more time for engineers to find solutions to shifting problems which have plagued the early Suzuki tests.

Lavilla was originally scheduled to take part in the Phillip Island tests. He is expected to continue pre-season testing for Suzuki. The Spaniard from Tarragona has signed on as test rider and will take part as a wild card rider in at least two Grands Prix. “I don’t know which races yet, but I hope it will be in Jerez and Catalunya.” Lavilla, like most Spanish riders, does not like the Circuit of Valencia, which also hosts a MotoGP event.