Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Superbike
Phillip Island, Australia
Superpole Results
3/27/04

1. Regis Laconi, Ducati 999F04, 1:33.427
2. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:34.398
3. Steve Martin, Ducati 999RS, 1:34.600
4. Leon Haslam, Ducati 999RS, 1:34.838
5. Noriyuki Haga, Ducati 999RS, 1:35.018
6. James Toseland, Ducati 999F04, 1:35.034
7. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:35.179
8. Garry McCoy, Ducati 999RS, 1:35.190
9. Marco Borciani, Ducati 999RS, 1:35.357
10. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 999RS, 1:35.472
11. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:35.944
12. Chris Walker, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:36.179
13. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati 998RS, 1:36.327
14. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:36.420
15. Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.432
16. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:36.501

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Supersport
Phillip Island, Australia
Final Qualifying Results
3/27/04

1. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 1:35.994
2. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.164
3. Broc Parkes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:36.384
4. Joshua Brookes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:36.425
5. Fabien Foret, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.533
6. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 1:36.555
7. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.838
8. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:36.943
9. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:37.278
10. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 749R, 1:37.300
11. Max Neukirchner, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.410
12. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 749R, 1:37.510
13. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:37.589
14. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:37.855
15. Alessio Corradi, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.998 16. Stefano Cruciani, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:38.069
17. Walter Tortoroglio, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:38.074
18. Matthieu Lagrive, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:38.847
19. Matteo Baiocco, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:39.320
20. steve Brogan, Honda CBR600RR, 1:39.375
21. Denis Sacchetti, Honda CBR600RR, 1:39.546
22. Brendan Clarke, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:40.115
23. Mark Stanley, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:40.896
24. Yaniv Peleg, Honda CBR600RR, 1:41.200

From a press release issued by MSS Discovery Kawasaki Team:

British Supersport / Superstock Championships ­ Round one ­ Silverstone
Saturday March 27 2004

POLE POSITION FOR ZX-10R AND MSS DISCOVERY KAWASAKI AT SILVERSTONE

The MSS Discovery Kawasaki team made a dream debut with the new ZX-10R machine as Steve Allan blasted to pole position for Sunday’s opening round of the National Superstock Championship at Silverstone, Northants.

And MSS Discovery Kawasaki Supersport team-mates Pere Riba and Rob Frost are predicting explosive action in Sunday’s opening British round after a thrilling final qualifying session at Silverstone on Saturday.

Allan’s Superstock pole position means the Scotsman heads the grid for the first time in his career in the class and provides the perfect start to the campaign for the new Kawasaki ZX-10R.

“I can’t fault the machine at all,” said Allan. “It’s got the speed and handles superbly and it’s all left me really excited about tomorrow’s race and the year ahead.”

Allan’s pole position time came in Saturday morning’s qualifying session before the 29-year-old crashed out of the final session of the day.

Allan explained: “It was a really stupid crash and I’m embarrassed by it. I was actually slowing down to pull into the pits when I lost control of the front. There was a bit of cement dust about from an earlier crash and I think that distracted me.”

Allan heads the grid for the 18-lap Superstock battle while his team-mates in the MSS Discovery Kawasaki squad are in action earlier in the day for the British Supersport Championship encounter.

Spaniard Riba scooped a second row start for the 20-lap race with seventh place on the grid and the former Grand Prix and World Superbike star is confident of challenging for victory in Sunday’s race.

“We’re still learning about the ZX-6RR and I go faster each time I take to the track,” reported the Barcelona ace. “I’m not worried at all about the race, I’m certain I’ll be able to race with the leaders.

“We have a good race set-up and I know I could have qualified higher but ran out of time. We have a completely new machine so we’re thinking as much about a 13-round championship as we are about one race.

“We are still to find the perfect qualifying setting with the machine so we can make full use of the softer compound tyres for a fast lap.”

Frost starts the Supersport battle from 18th place on the grid and the hard-charging Lincolnshire rider expects to be challenging for a placing much higher up the pack on Sunday afternoon.

Frost commented: “We got a little bit lost on set-up in the final qualifying session but there is so much to come from the machine over the next few weeks that I’m certain we’ll just keep getting better and better.”

Frost continued: “Starting from where I am on the grid is not a problem and we’re confident about our race set-up so I’ll be going for it as hard as I can from the start.”

British Supersport Championship final qualifying times:

1. Simon Andrews, Yamaha, 1:29.692
2. Jay Vincent, Honda, 1:29.858
3. Karl Harris, Honda, 1:29.903
4. Craig Jones, Triumph, 1:29.954
5. Leon Camier, Honda, 1:30.120
6. Cal Crutchlow, Honda, 1:30.315
7. Pere Riba, Kawasaki, 1:30.362
8. Michael Laverty, Ducati, 1:30.502
9. Tom Sykes, Suzuki, 1:30.657
10. Jonathan Rea, Honda, 1:30.666

18. Rob Frost, Kawasaki, 1:31.916


National Superstock Championship final qualifying times:

1. Steve Allan, Kawasaki, 1:30.292
2. Ben Wilson, Suzuki, 1:30.439
3. Andy Tinsley, Suzuki, 1:30.591
4. Danny Beaumont, Yamaha, 1:30.727
5. Jamie Morley, Suzuki, 1:30.738
6. Mark Heckles, Yamaha, 1:30.744
7. Tristan Palmer, Suzuki, 1:31.004
8. Les Shand, Yamaha, 1:31.296
9. David Johnson, Yamaha, 1:31.369
10. Craig Fitzpatrick, Suzuki, 1:31.503


More, from a press release issued by Hawk Kawasaki:

BSB Championship, Round 1
Silverstone
Qualifying

SMART QUALIFIES SIXTH FOR OPENING BSB ROUND

Hawk Kawasaki rider Scott Smart qualified in sixth place for the opening BSB round at an overcast Silverstone today. The number 88 rider set his 1:27.567 lap in the last five minutes of the day’s second qualifying session, which looked as though it might be rained off as threatening clouds moved in over the Northamptonshire circuit. Smart was also forced to use his second bike to set the time after his number one machine suffered technical problems.

“I’m pleased to be starting from the second row, especially after the
problems we’ve suffered throughout practice and qualifying, but it’s
a bit of a shame we couldn’t get the suspension set-up sorted on the
other bike because we’ve been struggling to find a good race set-up
all weekend,” said Smart. “To do the lap times we really have to
stick our necks out. That’s going to make it hard work tomorrow
because when the tyre’s not there the bike’s a real handful.
Obviously we’re working to sort that out, but at the moment we’re not
there. I’m hopeful we can make more progress before tomorrow’s race
though.”

His team mate, Glen Richards, suffered a more frustrating day. The
Aussie topped the times sheets for much of the first session, but was
dropped to third place after a crash ruled him out of the final 10
minutes. Richards was one of several riders caught out by an oil spill
at turn one, but fortunately he was uninjured an able to take part in
the afternoon’s final hour of qualifying.

The Hawk rider again looked to be running strongly until a crash at
Priory ended the number 75 rider’s session. His previous best time of
1:27.667 dropped Richards to ninth on the grid for tomorrow’s race.

“We could have done without those two offs today,: said Hawk Kawasaki
Team Principal Stuart Hicken. “But nobody falls off on purpose.
Certainly Glen’s first one was down to someone else’s spillage, then
he tipped off again with just two or three minutes to go of the second
session. Unfortunately the bike bounced in the gravel, and that made a
load more work, but we can get that one up and running again for
tomorrow. The encouraging bit is that we’re not a million miles away
from the front row, which is quite nice, because the bikes are so stock
at the moment it’s ridiculous. They might look like race bikes at the
moment, but the engines are still very standard and there’s still a
lot to come from them. Hopefully tomorrow will be dry because we do
need laps on the bike. The more laps we get, the more we can get the
bike on the pace and that’s the important bit. If it stays dry we’ll
have a good setting from the chassis by the first race tomorrow, for
sure.”


Combined Qualifying
1) Michael Rutter, Honda, 1:26.135
2) Sean Emmett, Ducati, 1:26.679
3) John Reynolds, Suzuki, 1:26.937
4) Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1:27.274
5) Stuart Easton, Ducati, 1:27.431
6) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:27.567
7) Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, 1:27.593
8) Dean Thomas, Ducati, 1:27.632
9) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:27.667
10) Steve Plater, Yamaha, 1:27.915
11) Gary Mason, Yamaha, 1:28.542
12) Jon Kirkham, Suzuki, 1:28.965 (P)
13) James Buckingham, Suzuki, 1:29.155 (P)
14) Dennis Hobbs, Suzuki, 1:29.185 (P)
15) Sam Corke, Suzuki, 1:29.296 (P)

(P) = Privateer

From a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:

ROSSI RECEIVES FIRST MOTOGP TROPHY DURING WASHOUT DAY IN BARCELONA

Day two of the official MotoGP IRTA Tests at the Montmelo circuit near Barcelona proved a frustrating washout as the rain, which halted activity yesterday, continued throughout the day. Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Carlos Checa chose not to risk the wet weather and stayed with their teams inside the pit garage, while just a few riders braved the elements and took to the track for some wet-weather practice.

A bit of light relief from the inactivity was provided for the media after lunch when Dorna presented five-times World Champion and new Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi with the first ever official MotoGP trophy. The sculpture, which has been created by top international artist Lorenzo Quinn, son of Hollywood actor Anthony Quinn, is the first such trophy to commemorate the MotoGP World Championship in its 55 year history. The trophy has already been inscribed with the name of 2003 World Champion Valentino Rossi, who won last year’s title with Honda before making his switch to Yamaha. Rossi was presented with the prize by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta.

Speaking to the packed press room during the presentation the 25-year-old Italian said, “I am very happy to be receiving this trophy and I think it is a good idea to have something like this in MotoGP. I like it; it reminds me of the Indy Car trophy and I hope to have my name inscribed on it again in the future!”

The Catalunya IRTA Tests conclude tomorrow, although unfortunately more rain is forecast. The MotoGP teams then move down to southern Spain for two final days of official IRTA testing in Jerez on Wednesday 31 March and Thursday 1 April before the first race in South Africa on 18 April.

From a press release issued by Team Proton KR:

PROTON TEAM KR CONFIRM DUNLOP TYRES FOR 2004

Circuit of Catalunya, Spain – March 27, 2004: Proton Team KR today confirmed that they will run on Dunlop tyres for the forthcoming 2004 MotoGP season, re-establishing long-standing links between the team owned by principal Kenny Roberts and the Anglo-Japanese tyre manufacturers.

The England-based squad will be the only major MotoGP team to use Dunlops, offering a unique opportunity for joint tyre development aimed specifically at the special needs of the fast-developing Proton KR V5 990cc MotoGP prototype racer. The bike is soon to start its first full racing season, after a ten-race development programme in 2003.

The 2004 machine is a significant step forward from the first “shake-down” prototype version, with input from F1 car racing and the aerospace industry in the chassis construction, and extra power and performance from the revised V5 engine. The link with Dunlop offers the chance for further development, with the Proton Team KR engineers working hand in hand with Dunlop tyre engineers … a relatively short distance (less than 100km) between the team base in Banbury and the Dunlop factory in nearby Birmingham.

Team principal Kenny Roberts was clear on the positive aspects of the new alliance, and the opportunities offered for joint R&D for special tyres for the Proton KR V5, especially using the latest computer-aided design technology. His opinion is reinforced by engineering chief and formula F1 guru John Barnard, who joined Proton Team KR last year, and has played the major part in the redesign to the 2004 KR V5.

“With his F1 background, John Barnard has been pushing us to step up our activity in this area,” said Roberts.

“It seems to us that Dunlop have a similar belief. They have established a specialist R&D group, using the latest software modelling package that is specifically design to perform predictive modelling on tyre profiles and constructions,” the former triple 500cc World Champion and legendary team owner added.

Dunlop’s chief designer Dave Watkins echoed the enthusiasm. “Together with our Japanese colleagues in Kobe, we have been focusing more and more on this computer-aided development over the past 12 months, which has helped us to work even more closely to introduce new materials and technology.

“This a really exciting chance to work in this field, hand in hand with a specialist constructor, whose sole activity is MotoGP. Like us, they are able to respond quickly to the pressures and demands of MotoGP racing. And even in today’s world of instant IT technology, the fact that our base is less than 100 km from the Proton headquarters is a big help.

“It means our computer modelling group can frequently get together with the Proton Team KR engineering team, and develop a really close working relationship that will benefit us both,” said Watkins.

From a press release issued by former racer Balz Renggli, Manager, Aprilia-Ducati of Oceanside:

Aprilia-Ducati of Oceanside is proud to be Southern California’s latest Husqvarna dealer. With a total of 67 World Championship titles including the 2003 World Enduro and Supermoto Championships, Husqvarna is one of the most recognized names in Off-Road racing. You can see the exiting lineup of new Husqvarnas at 525 S. Coast Hwy. Oceanside, Calif. or call 760-722-7704.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

MotoGP World Championship
IRTA Test
Catalunya, Spain
March 26, 2004

Lap times:
1. Alex BARROS, Honda, 1:45.464, 18 laps
2. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 1:45.542, 27 laps
3. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:45.803, 28 laps
4. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:45.855, 26 laps
5. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 1:45.913, 43 laps
6. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 1:45.949, 26 laps
7. Colin EDWARDS, Honda, 1:46.165, 27 laps
8. Shinichi ITOH, Honda, 1:46.281, 46 laps
9. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 1:46.424, 21 laps
10. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:46.782, 29 laps
11. Neil HODGSON, Ducati, 1:46.798, 54 laps
12. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, 1:46.834, 27 laps
13. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 1:46.902, 27 laps
14. Ruben XAUS, Ducati, 1:46.932, 44 laps
15. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 1:47.089, 31 laps
16. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, 1:47.585, 34 laps
17. Shane BYRNE, Aprilia, 1:47.746, 36 laps
18. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 1:47.800, 34 laps
19. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, 1:48.443, 21 laps
20. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, 1:48.741, 31 laps
21. Norick ABE, Yamaha, 1:48.869, 28 laps
22. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, 1:49.385, 19 laps
23. Vittoriano GUARESCHI, Ducati, 1:50.186, 23 laps
24. Gregorio LAVILLA, Suzuki, 1:50.801, 11 laps
25. Michel FABRIZIO, Harris WCM, 1:50.868, 29 laps
26. Marcellino LUCCHI, Aprilia, 1:53.391, 7 laps

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Supersport Qualifying
Phillip Island, Australia
March 26, 2004

1. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 1:35.994
2. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:36.164
3. Broc Parkes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:36.585
4. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 1:36.798
5. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:36.943
6. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 749R, 1:37.300
7. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:37.589
8. Joshua Brookes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.610
9. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:37.685
10. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:37.784
11. Fabien Foret, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:37.844
12. Max Neukirchner, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.875
13. Alessio Corradi, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.998
14. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 749R, 1:38.074
15. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:38.396
16. Walter Tortoroglio, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:38.457
17. Matthieu Lagrive, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:39.007
18. Stefano Cruciani, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:39.086
19. Denis Sacchetti, Honda CBR600RR, 1:39.658
20. Matteo Baiocco, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:39.930
21. Steve Brogan, Honda CBR600RR, 1:40.582
22. Mark Stanley, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:40.896
23. Brendan Clarke, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:41.008
24. Yaniv Peleg, Honda CBR600RR, 1:42.096


More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group:

SUPERSPORT: Muggeridge Fastest After Day One – In the Supersport World Championship, local rider Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) secured the provisional pole position, leaving it late to record a session best of 1:35.994. An Aussie clean sweep of the top three positions had Yamaha Motor Germany rider Kevin Curtain second, on his return to familiar territory, while Muggeridge’s team-mate Broc Parkes took the third quickest lap, 0.591 seconds down on provisional pole. Honda’s good early showing continued with Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) also on the overnight front row, ahead of fastest Suzuki lapper, Katsuaki Fujiwara (Alstare Suzuki GSX-R600).

Lorenzo Lanzi, the lone Breil Ducati factory entrant on the 749 vee-twin, went fifth fastest, having used his experience of the track from a previous winter test outing. Stephane Chambon (Alstare Suzuki GSX-R600), the 1999 World Champion, was sixth quickest, ahead of top wildcard rider, Josh Brookes on a Castrol Honda.


More, from a press release issued by Ten Kate Honda:

Muggeridge Heads Provisional Front Row

A keenly contested first qualifying session at Phillip Island, held in blustery but dry conditions, saw Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) secure the provisional pole as the 45-minute session drew to a close. With the Ten Kate Hondas proving to be the fastest machines on the track once more – recording top speeds of 283 kph (175 mph) – Muggeridge’s team-mate Broc Parkes went third in the Supersport classification, despite running a set-up which can still be improved on.

The Ten Kate pairing, happy to be so competitive on home soil during the first day of testing, were nonetheless affected by the usual Phillip Island winds, which get under the machines on some key corners, preventing any immediate improvement in the qualifying lap record of 1:35.291.

Muggeridge proved the only rider capable of cracking the 1:35 barrier at the classic Australian circuit, posting a best of 1:35.994 with Parkes just behind with a 1:36.585. Another Aussie rider, Kevin Curtain, split the Ten Kate pilots by going second quickest overall on his Yamaha.

Muggeridge, who is looking for his first win on home soil, explained why he made such a late move into provisional pole, having been deposed from the top of the times with over ten minutes to go. “We were just a bit slow off the mark this morning, and we needed every minute of the timed session to get the bike better.” He continued, “I wasn’t trying any harder than this morning, we just got the bike better. The time speaks for itself and the bike was much easier to ride and easier to get around. I didn’t do anything special. It’s a bit windy the gusts are coming from the landward side, not coming from the sea for a change. Coming round the fast left towards Honda Corner it gets right under the bodywork and pushes you wide. Tomorrow I want to be a bit more consistent with the times.”

“I was a little bit late to get the right direction to go in to get the bike to handle,” said Parkes. “I missed out on changing something at the end but that’s OK. The bike’s fast – I just need to get the set-up better. Right now I’m a bit shy in pushing a bit more – and I hope there is less wind tomorrow!”

Team Manager Ronald Ten Kate gave some background on the team’s preparations for the PI race. “We have the same spec of machines as Valencia, the next release of engine will be ready at Misano. The bike we have here is still fast because both riders went 283 kph – the next best is 270 something – so we’re pleased with that.”


More, from a press release issued by Belgarda Yamaha Racing:

STEADY START FOR JURGEN AND FABIEN

The opening day of the second round of the 2004 Supersport World championship saw Jurgen van den Goorbergh and Fabien Foret make a steady start to the weekend. Problems finding good settings for their YZF-R6 Yamahas caused them to finish in tenth and eleventh places respectively. But both riders are very optimistic about their chances of improvement tomorrow and of qualifying on the first two rows of the grid. Today’s qualifying was somewhat affected by the wind, but it didn’t stop Aussie ace Karl Muggeridge (Honda) claiming provisional pole position with a time of 1:35.994. Aussies Kevin Curtain (Yamaha) and Broc Parkes (Honda) finished second and third fastest, with Frenchman Sebastien Charpentier (Honda) fourth.

JURGEN VAN DEN GOORBERGH ­ 10th, 1:37.784

It has been a tough Friday almost as usual really and I just couldn’t find a good suspension setting in combination with the tyres. Right at the end of the qualifying session, we found a bit of an improvement, but we’d run out of time by then. We lost about twenty minutes this afternoon because of some problems with a brake lever and then with a red light that kept coming on in the dash display. As the session is only forty-five minutes, losing twenty of them is a lot. I like racing here and it’s one of my favourite tracks in the world, but at the moment I’m not happy with it because I’m not where I want to be in order.

FABIEN FORET ­ 11th, 1:37.844

My biggest problem today was finding a good setting for my bike. I spent all day trying to find a good feeling ­ especially the front end ­ but we still have some work to do. I did try pushing hard, but the lap times just didn’t come probably I wasn’t confident enough with the bike. I don’t know why, but I’m always slow here on the first day despite the fact that I like the circuit because it’s fast and has lots of high-speed corners. Tomorrow we’ll try some changes, but I’m sure we’ll improve a lot.

FOX ON THE BOX

Host broadcasters FOX TV (transmitters of the signal of the Supersport race this weekend to the European networks) made two long special interviews with Yamaha Motor Italy riders Jurgen van den Goorbergh and Fabien Foret at Phillip Island before the action began. Jurgen’s and Fabien’s interviews will be broadcasted just before the race start.

MATTEO BAIOCCO

Team Lorenzini by Leoni rider Matteo Baiocco finished the first day of qualifying in twentieth place on his YZF R6 Yamaha.


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

FUJIWARA AND CHAMBON ON FRONT ROWS

2004 Supersport World Championship, Round 2, Phillip Island, Australia. Friday qualifying, 26th March. Circuit: 4.445 kms.
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra’s Katsuaki Fujiwara posted fifth fastest time in today’s opening qualifying session for Sunday’s World Supersport second round at Phillip Island in Australia, with team mates Stephane Chambon and Vittorio Iannuzzo seventh and 15th.

The day was a mixed one for the team; since the last race at Valencia, they have worked hard developing the new 2004 Suzuki GSX 600R and today was a small step in the continuing programme.

The bike has improved, but at the moment, top-end speed is a little bit down on the top bikes and that means that Phillip Island is going to be a difficult track for the team.

Aussie Karl Muggeridge (Honda) dominated the qualifying session and took provisional pole with a time of 1:35.994, ahead of fellow countrymen Kevin Curtain (Yamaha) and Broc Parkes (Honda).

KATSUAKI FUJIWARA 5th, 1:36.943:

“The team has worked hard on the new bike since the last round and there is definitely an improvement for sure. For me the chassis and the bike’s balance is a better, but obviously there is still a lot of work to be done. I think that we will improve further for the next race at Misano, but in the meantime we are struggling a little with top speed. Today the fastest rider’s top speed was almost seventeen kilometres per hour quicker then me, which is a lot! I’m having a few little problems with getting the bike stopping the way I’d like, but I hope that will be better tomorrow also. It’s going to be a hard weekend for sure, but first I want to qualify on the front row of the grid tomorrow. Then we’ll see what happens on race day.”

STEPHANE CHAMBON 7th, 1:37.589:

“Today I had some chassis problems and also some problems with the wind. Every time I come here, I feel that the winds are against me and because I am small, it can be difficult controlling the bike properly. I’m not sure exactly what my problem with the bike’s set-up was today, but we’ll change a few things and see how much we can improve. I like this circuit a lot, but I would like my bike to be a faster because at the moment I am nearly 19kph slower then Muggeridge!”

VITTORIO IANNUZZO 15th, 1:38.396:

“I’m not so happy because my times are so different to the leaders.I had some set-up problems today, but we’ll make changes for tomorrow and I hope I can improve a lot. I’d like to think that I can finish qualifying with a place on the second row of the grid and that’s what I’ll be aiming for tomorrow. Phillip Island is one of the best tracks in the world so I’d love to make a good race here.”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

MotoGP World Championship
IRTA Test
Catalunya, Spain
March 26, 2004

Friday’s Best Top Speeds:

1. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 210.0 mph
2. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 208.4 mph
3. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 206.5 mph
4. Max Biaggi, Honda, 205.6 mph
5. Colin Edwards, Honda, 205.4 mph
6. Alex Barros, Honda, 204.4 mph
7. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, 204.2 mph
8. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 204.2 mph
9. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, 204.1 mph
10. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 203.9 mph
11. Ruben Xaus, Ducati, 203.4 mph
12. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 203.1 mph
13. Shinichi Itoh, Honda, 202.5 mph
14. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki, 202.1 mph
15. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 201.4 mph
16. Norick Abe, Yamaha, 201.0 mph
17. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 201.0 mph
18. Vittoriano Guareschi, Ducati, 199.7 mph
19. Shane Byrne, Aprilia, 199.7 mph
20. Shinya Nakano, Kawasaki, 198.8 mph
21. Jeremy McWilliams, Aprilia, 197.3 mph
22. Marcellino Lucchi, Aprilia, 194.5 mph
23. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton, 194.5 mph
24. Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki, 192.8 mph
25. Michel Fabrizio, Harris WCM, 189.6 mph
26. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki, 181.4 mph