From press releases issued by Ducati Corse:

SECOND DAY OF SBK WINTER TESTING AT VALENCIA
INTERRUPTED BY BAD WEATHER

Ruben Xaus (Team Ducati Fila) headed the timesheets today on the second day of official SBK pre-season testing at Valencia. In the afternoon the two Ducati Fila riders, Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus did not go out onto the track after rain started to fall and two of the scheduled four sessions were not completed.

Spain’s Xaus completed a total of 55 laps on the Ducati 999, the Italian manufacturer’s new Superbike model, recording a time of 1:34.75, one-tenth of a second slower than the circuit record set by Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) and six tenths of a second quicker than his time recorded one month ago at the same track. Ruben tested new rear tyres made available by Michelin, and constantly lapped at this pace during his mini race simulation in the morning.

“Everything is going really well” declared Ruben at the end of the day. “We tried some new race tyres, even though we couldn’t complete the entire programme due to the rain. The team is working well, and I’m getting a better felling with the 999 all the time. I made a good step forward with the bike here at Valencia because my time of 1:34.75 is the best I’ve ever recorded around here.”

Neil Hodgson focussed mainly on bike settings, trying to eliminate weight transfer imbalance in braking and acceleration and the British rider completed 38 laps today, setting a best time of 1:35.04.

“I got caught out with the weather because I wanted to save my best time for the end of the day, but it’s the same for everyone” commented Neil. “Today we made some progress with the 999 after going back to the settings I used in December. The handling now feels much better and I have a lot more confidence so I’m sure I can improve again tomorrow.”

Tomorrow will see the third and final day of official SBK testing at Valencia.

OFFICIAL TIMES: 1. Xaus (Ducati Fila) 1:34.75; 2. Hodgson (Ducati Fila) 1:35.04; 3. Laconi (Ducati NCR) 1:35.68; 4. Chili (Ducati) 1:36.06; 5. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) 1:36.06; 6. Walker (HM Plant Ducati) 1:36.12; 7. Corser (Foggy Petronas) 1:36.40; 8. Lavilla (Suzuki) 1:36.47; 9. Borja (Ducati DFX) 1:36.51; 10. Garcia (Ducati NCR) 1:36.87.





BAYLISS & CAPIROSSI PRAY FOR SUN AT RAINY JEREZ

IRTA tests, Jerez, Spain
Saturday, February 22, 2003

Ducati Marlboro Team riders Troy Bayliss and Loris Capirossi continued to make excellent progress during the year’s first IRTA tests at Jerez today, despite heavy rain showers that forced them to spend much of the morning in the pits. Both men are hoping to make up for lost time during tomorrow’s final day, when the weather is expected to be better.

As yesterday, the Australian and the Italian focused on fine tuning chassis settings, even though the circuit was in poor condition throughout, the rain having washed dust and dirt onto the track.

“The work we’re doing here is very important,” said Ducati Corse CEO Claudio Domenicali. “We have a very precise schedule of work to do before the first race in April, with a lot to do in a short time. At the moment we have no real references at most of the GP circuits, so we have to work very efficiently, and losing half a day of a three-day test here could be critical. But we believe in the project and we believe in the enthusiasm and professionalism of the whole team. I’m particularly grateful to Troy and Loris today, because in spite of the conditions they both continued working to give us the maximum amount of information about the bike.”

Former World Superbike champ Bayliss, who has never raced at Jerez, managed to ride 47 laps today, usefully expanding his knowledge of the Spanish circuit. “I could’ve sat around and done nothing, but even though the track wasn’t in a great state, you never know what kind of conditions you’re going to have to race in,” he smiled. “Even at the end of the day a couple of the corners were still a bit sketchy, with a couple of guys going down, so I just hope we have a good day tomorrow. We’ve been mostly playing with chassis setting, plus I tried a few different front Michelins. I found a couple of things I liked today, so I’m feeling keen for tomorrow. I want a bit of sun, so I can do a lot of laps.”

Capirossi, who has been racing here since 1990, rode 24 laps today, preferring not to take risks in the tricky conditions. But he also ended the day in good spirits. “The track was very dirty after the rain, which compromised our work today, but we still managed to get a lot done,” he said. “We tried some new chassis solutions and different configurations, so we’ve kept moving ahead. But tomorrow we need sun!”

Tomorrow both riders plan to do their first serious tyre testing with Michelin’s range of 2003 tyres, weather permitting.

Lap times
Troy Bayliss (Ducati Marlboro Team) 1:45.640
Loris Capirossi (Ducati Marlboro Team) 1:48.091


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

LACONI ON THE TOP AND GARCIA GROWS UP

(Valencia 2003, February 22)

A soft rain stopped today test on Valencia circuit. But the two practice sessions on the dry track showed a great Regis Laconi. The French rider of 998RS Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks recorsed the third fastest overall, leaded only by the two Fila Ducati factory bikes.

“Today too we worked first to find the best set up,” – declared at the end of the test day Regis Laconi – “Handling and gearbox have been our aim today, and we rode immediately one second faster as yesterday laptime; then we set at the best the hand lever for rear brake that I asked to Stefano as I like it works, well, a classic test day, but the third fastest we score shows that we are in the right direction. It has a pity that the rain forced us to stop working, we must set at the best the gearbox ratio, but I’m really satisfied about the work we have done.”

David Garcia, always very quiet in the pit, goes on to upgrade recording the tenth fastest of today practice.

“The rain ruined everything,” – said a disappointed Garcia – “I need to stay on the bike and ride kilometers on the 998RS, and unfortunately in the afternoon we couldn’t practice at all. In the morning sessions I feel very well, the gearbox was running well and I’m confident that, if the practices could go on, I could be faster. I found a good feeling with the team and now I am confident in a good racing debut next week-end.”

Unfortunately also for tomorrow, Sunday February 23, closing test day, the weather forecast doesn’t show anything good.

Two days test – Overall results:

1.XAUS Ruben (Ducati) 1:34.755; 2.HODGSON Neil (Ducati) 1:35.044; 3.LACONI Regis (Caracchi NCR Ducati Nortel Networks) 1:35.685; 4.WALKER Chris (Ducati) 1:35.842; 5.TOSELAND James (Ducati) 1:35.932 ; 6.MARTIN Steve (Ducati) 1:36.061; 7.CHILI Pierfrancesco (Ducati) 1:36.061; 8.CORSER Troy (Foggy Petronas) 1:36.408; 9.LAVILLA Gregorio (Suzuki) 1:36.477; 10.BORJA Juan Batista (Ducati) 1:36.516; 11.GARCIA David (Caracchi NCR Ducati Nortel Networks) 1:36.877

From a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

MotoGP pre-season IRTA Tests
Saturday 22 February 2003 (day 2 of 3)
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain

CHECA AND MELANDRI HINDERED BY RAIN IN SPAIN

Poor weather conditions affected the second day of the Jerez IRTA tests in Spain today, soaking the track in the morning so much that it didn’t fully dry by the end of the day. Thirteen of the fifteen MotoGP riders present ventured out. Fortuna Yamaha Team rider Marco Melandri completed a total of just thirteen laps in the wet conditions while team-mate Carlos Checa chose to wait until the weather improves to ride his latest evolution of the Yamaha YZR-M1.

Team Director Davide Brivio commented: “We are not too worried to have lost one day as we still have some time to prepare for the first race. Carlos didn’t go out because the track still wasn’t totally dry. He has already tested in wet conditions so it’s better that he doesn’t take any risks this close to the start of the Championship. There isn’t much point him testing now unless he can push the bike to its maximum limit. Marco did some laps to get used to the wet because he still needs to practice this on the M1.”

Spaniard Checa recorded the second fastest time of 1:43.2 in yesterday’s action, and Italian Melandri recorded the fifth fastest time of 1:43.8. Better weather conditions are forecast for tomorrow’s action.

LAP TIMES (WET CONDITIONS)
1. Shinya Nakano, D’Antin Yamaha 1:45.214

2. Troy Bayliss, Ducati Marlboro Team 1:45.640

3. Colin Edwards, Alice Aprilia Racing 1:47.982

4. Loris Capirossi, Ducati Marlboro Team, 1:48.091

5. Garry McCoy, Fuchs Kawasaki Racing 1:48.263

6. Noriyuki Haga, Alice Aprilia Racing 1:48.314

7. Kenny Roberts, Suzuki Grand Prix 1:48.488

8. John Hopkins, Suzuki Grand Prix 1:48.709

9. Alex Hoffman, Fuchs Kawasaki Racing 1:48.875

10. Andrew Pitt, Fuchs Kawasaki Racing 1:49.851

Marco Melandri, Fortuna Yamaha Team 1:56.7 (13 laps)



More, from a press release issued by D’Antin Yamaha:

YAMAHA D’ANTIN TESTS, JEREZ
February 22, 2003

NAKANO FASTEST RIDER OF THE SECOND DAY
Most of the winter tests celebrated in Jerez circuit had the same protagonist, the rain. In this second day of IRTA test, and confirming the forecast rain has appeared in the morning and no team had been able to test how they would like. In the afternoon the track was getting dry and the riders could take more track time.

Yamaha d’Antín team rider, Shinya Nakano has completed fifteen laps in the morning session, but with wet tarmac he didn’t managed to ride comfortable. Some riders as Brazilian Alex Barros (Yamaha) –the fastest yesterday- decided not to go out this afternoon. And in the last two hours, Nakano put on his leathers, taking advance of drying tarmac. In just five laps he has bettered his morning lap times in almost six seconds and has finished the session with a best lap of 1:45.214. The best lap time of the day.

“The conditions today weren’t so good. In the morning was raining heavily, later it stopped and when the track was drying, more rain. In the afternoon was better, but the track surface wasn’t completely dry and some parts were wet,” said the Japanese, who will start this year his third season in the premier class. “I’m happy because we have found good setting for the rear end that improve grip and turning. It has been a strange day, and although I’ve get the fastest lap time we have to consider that this afternoon too much rider didn’t go out. Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”

Forecast for Sunday are not so optimistic and everything says that the weather will be similar as today.

From a press release:

22/02/03

Rain Stops Play

A light fall of rain during the second afternoon of official pre-season World Superbike and Supersport practice sessions brought an early end to the day’s meaningful action. With a wet track surface persisting in the cold ambient weather conditions most teams elected to sit out the final few hours in the pit garage, rather than risk disaster on a slick, but not quite fully wet, 4.005km track.

The first two session of the day were enough to allow Ruben Xaus (Fila Ducati 999) to take the fastest time of the test so far, thanks to his 1:34.755 – making him the only rider inside the 1:35 mark so far. Warmer track conditions would have allowed Xaus and the other top runners to mount greater attempts to beat the circuit best of Ben Bostrom, a time of 1:34.649.

Neil Hodgson also pushed his time towards that of Bostrom, despite spending a large number of laps chasing a better base set-up in vain. His best of 1:35.044 came shortly before the rains invaded the east coast of Spain, engulfing the Valencia circuit.

Superbike race winner Regis Laconi, drafted into the NCR Nortel Ducati team this season, pulled out all the stops to go third fastest over the two-day test, with a 1:35.685 lap.

Chris Walker’s 2002 specification factory Ducati was not able to deliver the Englishman a better time than his opening day best of 1:35.842, despite setting a high overall lap count.

His HM Plant team-mate James Toseland was held back somewhat by his still-healing right hand injury, and he could not improve on his Friday time, leaving him fifth fastest overall.

Steve Martin (DFX Ducati) was one of the few riders to venture out in the wet conditions, to evaluate his Pirelli tyres on a slick Valencia circuit, while PSG-1 Ducati rider Pierfrancesco Chili went almost one second faster today than yesterday, securing an overall seventh fastest time over two days.

Troy Corser (Foggy Petronas Racing) took 0.6 seconds off his best time at Valencia, moving to eighth fastest overall.

Gregorio Lavilla was once more the top four-cylinder 1000cc runner, despite suffering a huge highside crash. Another local rider, Juan Borja, took his DFX Ducati twin to the top ten, one place ahead of Almeria rider David Garcia (NCR Ducati) and two ahead of British rider James Haydon (Foggy Petronas Racing).

The two top Supersport times from the opening day proved to be the best after the second day’s sessions as well, leaving Ten Kate Honda riders Chris Vermeulen and Karl Muggeridge clear at the top of the timesheets.

Another factory Honda rider, Christophe Cogan (BKM Racing Team) scored an excellent lap time of 1:38.564, a huge improvement over his first day performance. The majority of the Supersport riders scored faster times on the second day than on the first, with Katsuaki Fujiwara (Alstare Suzuki) fourth quickest, Gianluca Nannelli (Lorenzi by Leoni Yamaha) fifth and Alessio Corradi (Team Italia Spadaro) sixth.

The top Kawasaki rider once more proved to be Pere Riba, in 11th place. Despite a suspected broken rib World Supermoto Champion Thierry van den Bosch continued to ride his Yamaha Motor France machine on day two, securing a time of 1:1:39.185, good enough for a top ten ranking.

The tests reach their conclusion tomorrow, with the first race of the season scheduled for Sunday 2 March, also at Valencia.

From a press release issued by Road Atlanta:

ROAD ATLANTA MAKES COURSE CHANGES FOR MOTORCYCLE RACERS IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY

BRASELTON, GA (Feb. 21, 2003) — Road Atlanta has taken proactive steps to increase rider safety during its professional and amateur motorcycle races by re-designing the Turn 3-4 complex of its 2.54-mile Grand Prix course.


Photo by David Allio/Road Atlanta.

Motorcycle racers will use the new 550-foot section of the course. Sports cars will continue to use the original course. Official length of the new motorcycle course has yet to be determined. The new course will be used during the AMA Suzuki Superbike Showdown presented by Dark Dog May 15-18, the WERA Regionals July 5-6 and the WERA Grand National Finals Oct. 29-Nov. 2. The new course will also be used for the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School.

“Responding to concerns of riders and AMA Pro Racing, Road Atlanta has taken these proactive steps to increase safety and provide the riders a more exciting venue,” says Mike Swaine, President and General Manager of Road Atlanta. “We have worked closely with AMA Pro Racing in order to build a new portion of the track that addresses the safety concerns.”

Instead of taking the fast, wide sweeping turns through Turns 3-4, motorcycle racers will now make a quick left-hand turn just past the apex of Turn 2, then continue with a right and left-hand turn combination going down the hill before blending back into the original track in Turn 4. The new portion of the track, paved in the wide grassy area between the original track and the retaining wall well away from the racing surface on the left, is 36 feet wide and substantially increases the runoff room on riders’ right.

“The changes have taken the wall at Turn 4 out of the picture and make for safer racing,” says Kevin Schwantz, the 1993 500cc World Champion and member of the AMA Pro Racing Board who also runs the Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School at Road Atlanta. “I feel that Road Atlanta is one of the really great road courses on the (AMA Superbike) schedule and to make changes for safety reasons is a good idea. Turns 3-4 have been a point of concern over the past couple of seasons.

“I think the changes that are being made will add another passing area, and make racing safer. It will be a more technical section. You’ll get on the brakes going into the new Turn 3A, and you’ll accelerate going down the hill. You’ll be able to pass under braking coming out of 3A. It’s not just a silly chicane everybody has to just follow through the bike in front. If you’ve got a good bike, it will make you win by more. If you’ve got a bad bike, it will make you struggle more to keep up.”

For more information visit www.roadatlanta.com.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

RADICAL NEW SUZUKI MAKES PUBLIC DEBUT AT JEREZ

Team Suzuki Press Office. February 21st 2003

The radical new Suzuki GSV-R MotoGP prototype made its first public appearance at the Spanish GP circuit of Jerez today, meeting the opposition for the first time at the open-to-all IRTA test sessions.

The all-new bike, still in the early stages of development and at only its third test, proved close to the overall pace, but with some ground to make up before the start of the season on April 4.

But the mood of team and riders remained positive, with two more days at Jerez, plus two more European tests to go before the return to Japan, and yet more testing before the first race.

“It’s an interesting weekend,” said team manager Garry Taylor. “Some of our major opposition is here, though not all of it, and it’s a chance to assess the potential of the new bike.

“There is still a lot of work to do, and a lot more testing to come. We’re in this for the long haul,” he concluded.

The new GSV-R, code-named XRE1, uses last year’s first ever MotoGP four-stroke prototype as a basis, but with sweeping changes from front to rear. The new machine retains the DOHC 990cc V4 format, but with major revisions to the fuel-injected unit, including a wider 65-degree Vee angle (from 60 degrees). The chassis is also considerably changed, clothed in minimalist carbon-fibre bodywork with a sophisticated aerodynamic profile to the nose.

These are part of a redesigned package offering the potential for major improvement, warmly greeted by both riders – former World Champion Kenny Roberts Jr. and Suzuki new boy John Hopkins – when they saw the new bike for the first time in Malaysia in January.


KENNY ROBERTS: LOOKING FOR THE BASE
We’re still looking for a good base setting at this time, then we can move the bike forward from there. At the moment, it’s a bit like when you’re lost, and you feel really hopeless … then suddenly you see a signpost, and suddenly everything’s okay again. We’re looking for that signpost now, but I’m sure we’ll find it.


JOHN HOPKINS: LEARNING TO CRAWL
There’s a long way to go, but also a long way before the start of the season. Today I did find a good set-up, and that gives us a basis to improve, so we can work round the fine-tuning from there. At the moment we’re learning to crawl, before we can walk.

From a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR:

SUPERBIKE WINTER TEST
FIRST DAY AT VALENCIA
(Valencia 2003, February 21)

Debut day today for the Winter Test special session organised by SBK International on Valencia Circuit where, next Sunday March 2nd will start the 2003 Superbike World Championship. Positive debut for the Scuderia Caracchi NCR, with Regis Laconi sixth fastest at the end f the first day.

“It has been a day without particular problems.” – commented at the end Regis Laconi – “We worked for long time to find a good set up of suspensions and I’m confident that we found a good basis for the handling. About the engine finally I tested also the new exhaust 2 into 1 and, comparing with the standard solution, I find it better at high revs, but not at low revs; now we’ll work together to find an electronic map that will allow us a good result in every condition. My laptime went quite easily and in the last session too, when it was quite cold, I recorded a good laptime, always using race tyres. As debut of this test I’m without any doubt very satisfied.”

David Garcia, too, that follows to learn the NCR Ducati 998RS Nortel Networks, recorded a very good 12th fastest, leading riders with a lot of experience.

“We worked a lot on the suspensions.” – said the rider from Almeria – “I have to find more feeling with a bike so different from the bikes I rode before, but at the end of this day I got a good feeling either with the bike and with the race tyres. I went on to have some trouble with the gearbox, like in the last occasion here in Valencia, but now the guys find what we believe could be the mistake and for tomorrow we are confident to be OK. I’m still learning, but I feel myself always better and better.”

Spanish tests will continue to Sunday February 23rd.

Today’s results:
1.HODGSON Neil (Ducati) 1:35.479; 2.XAUS Ruben (Ducati) 1:35.623; 3.WALKER Chris (Ducati) 1:35.842; 4.TOSELAND James (Ducati) 1:35.932; 5.MARTIN Steve (Ducati) 1:36.061; 6.LACONI Regis (Caracchi NCR Ducati Nortel Networks) 1:36.545; 7.LAVILLA Gregorio (Suzuki) 1:36.596; 8.BORJA Juan Batista (Ducati) 1:36.727; 9.CORSER Troy (Foggy Petronas) 1:37.028; 10.CHILI Pierfrancesco (Ducati) 1:37.036;….. 12.GARCIA David (Caracchi NCR Ducati Nortel Networks) 1:37.761


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION

HODGSON AND XAUS (TEAM DUCATI FILA) SET THE PACE AT VALENCIA ON DAY 1 OF WORLD SUPERBIKE TESTING

The World Superbike Championship returns to the track this weekend at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, Spain for a three day testing session starting from today, in preparation for round 1 of the championship, which kicks off next Sunday at the same circuit.

Team Ducati Fila riders Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus set the pace on the first day of testing with the all-new Ducati 999, the heir to the 998 that clinched an eleventh Manufacturers’ title for the Italian manufacturer in 2002.

Both the 29-year-old British rider, who has not tested since early December due to corrective surgery on his left wrist, and the 25-year-old Catalan, in his third season with the factory Ducati Corse Superbike squad, were in fine form today around the 4.005 km track, despite each recording a harmless crash.

The workload mainly revolved around optimising the set-up on the four new race bikes, two apiece for the riders, and numerous suspension settings were tried out. Together with Michelin technicians, the two riders also verified the race tyre choice tested during the winter.

“That wasn’t a bad day” said Neil, “because I had to blow the cobwebs off after two months away from the track and it was the first real test for my wrist. After I high-sided at the first corner, I also felt stiff in the afternoon, so all things considered, I’m pretty happy with my quickest time. The bike is not quite the same as I remembered, but there again neither am I! I know I’ll go faster tomorrow, today I wasn’t pushing too hard”.

“I lost it at the final curve but it wasn’t because I was going too fast or slow, I just got my braking all wrong and it was all my fault” commented Ruben. “The 999 feels really good and I’m getting more and more used to it but the conditions are a bit different here to when we tested one month ago, so now we have to get back into the rhythm once again.”

OFFICIAL TIMES: 1. Hodgson (Ducati Fila) 1:35.47; 2. Xaus (Ducati Fila) 1:35.62; 3. Walker (HM Plant Ducati) 1:35.84; 4. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) 1:35.93; 5. Martin (Ducati DFX) 1:36.06; 6. Laconi (Ducati NCR) 1:36.54; 7. Lavilla (Suzuki) 1:36.59; 8. Borja (Ducati DFX) 1:36.72; 9. Corser (Foggy Petronas) 1’37.02; 10. Chili (Ducati) 1:37.03.



More, from a press release issued by the Superbike World Championship press office:

PRESS RELEASE
Valencia Pre-season Test
Friday 21/02/03

The first day of the official World Superbike Championship pre-season tests delivered the fastest lap of 1:35.479 to Fila Ducati rider Neil Hodgson, despite a high-speed fall suffered in the early sessions by the English rider. Lapping consistently fast on the new 999 F03 factory twin Hodgson also set a fastest top speed in the cold but dry conditions, with a mark of 289kmph.

Second quickest rider proved to be Hodgson’s team-mate Ruben Xaus, with a 1:35.623, despite the Spaniard also falling shortly after leading the time sheets in the early afternoon.

Slightly behind the factory duo, with a best time of 1:35.842, came HM Plant Ducati rider Chris Walker, running well on his 2002 spec works 998 F02. Walker’s quickest time came during the last session of the day, and although his team-mate James Toseland did not compete in that session he had already set the fourth fastest lap – 1:35.932.

Just outside the 1:35s came Aussie privateer Steve Martin (Ducati DFX 998RS) followed closely by Regis Laconi (NCR Nortel Network Ducati).

The new era of 1000cc four-cylinder machines, running air intake restrictors to limit peak horsepower, was ushered in on home ground by Spain’s Gregorio Lavilla (Alstare Suzuki), and he proved to be the highest-placed such rider on the day. His time of 1:36.598 was good enough for seventh place on the opening day’s timesheets. His Spanish countryman Juan Borja (DFX Ducati) went eighth fastest.

A top ten placing on the first day of true comparative tests was a heartening result for the all-new Foggy Petronas Racing Team and lead rider Troy Corser, with the 1996 champion setting the ninth-quickest time. His progress was consistently spectacular, with flames emanating from the tailpipes of the three-cylinder 900cc machine on the overrun.

Tenth quickest over four sessions proved to be the experienced SBK campaigner Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati), with 22 riders taking part in total.

Less than perfect weather predictions for the second and third days of the test may indicate that few riders will have a further chance to match the circuit best Superbike lap (1:34.649) set by Ducati rider Ben Bostrom in 2002.

In the Supersport class, arguably the most closely contested of all; the best times were put in by the Ten Kate Honda duo of Chris Vermeulen and Karl Muggeridge. Vermeulen, the younger of the Australian riders, had the honour of setting the best lap of the day, 1:38.120, in the final session.

Only 0.134 seconds behind came Muggeridge, plus three time WSS race winner in the past season Katsuaki Fujiwara (Alstare Suzuki) in third position on the timesheets.

One year of experience in World Supersport helped former European Supersport Champion Alessio Corradi (Team Italia Spadaro Yamaha) to a fine fourth fastest.

Thierry van den Bosch (Yamaha Motor France), a rookie to the World Supersport scene but a World Supermoto Champion of the very recent past, took his R6 to fifth fastest overall. He also set the highest number of Supersport laps on day one, with 63.

Pere Riba scored the top Kawasaki placing in eighth at his home circuit. The Valencia tests are a curtain raiser for the first race of the season, which takes place next weekend at the Spanish venue.

SBK Press Office


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Promising opening for Foggy PETRONAS Racing

Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders Troy Corser and James Haydon continued their pre-season progress
during the opening day of the three-day official World Superbike championship winter test.

Both riders improved lap times from their previous visit to the circuit as they were pitched against the forthcoming season’s opposition for the first time at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia.

A test by the Formula One McLaren team over the previous three days had resulted in a dirty track that, when combined with low temperatures at the start and end of a chilly day, reduced meaningful track time. But, with scope for improvement in the provision of Michelin race tyres, Carl Fogarty’s new team were confident that the Foggy FP1 was capable of progressing towards the front of the field.

Corser finished the day 1.5 seconds behind the quickest time, set by factory Fila Ducati rider Neil Hodgson, while Haydon made significant in-roads into his previous best at the circuit.

Chief engineer Steve Thompson said: “I think we have progressed well today. I feel the performance of the engine is now close to that of all but a couple of the teams.”

Troy Corser said: “It has been a little bit like starting again because the engines we have now have more power and torque than when we were here before Christmas, and than we had at our last test in Malaysia, so a lot of the set-up and mapping work has to be done again. I’m quite happy with the times, although it was difficult to concentrate on them with the limited time on track.”

James Haydon said: “This is not a track that I know well because we have been unlucky with the bikes and the weather on previous occasions here. So I was pleased to knock so much off my previous best time. It’s obvious that the torque and pick-up of the engine has improved in the lower mid-range, where it was needed.”

Times: Day one of three

1 Hodgson Fila Ducati 1:35.479
2 Xaus Fila Ducati 1:35.623
3 Walker HM Plant Ducati 1:35.842
4 Toseland HM Plant Ducati 1:35.932
5 Martin DFX Racing 1:36.061
6 Laconi NCR 1:36.545
7 Lavilla Alstare Suzuki 1:36.569
8 Borja DFX Racing 1:36.727
9 Corser Foggy PETRONAS Racing 1:37.028
10 Chili Team PSG-1 1:37.036

15 Haydon Foggy PETRONAS Racing 1:38.203

From a press release issued by Ducati:

DUCATI ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW HEAD OF GLOBAL SALES

Bologna, Italy, February 21, 2003 – Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (NYSE: DMH and Borsa Italiana S.p.A.: DMH), a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, announced the appointment of Mirko Bordiga, 34, as Group Sales Director.

Mr. Bordiga has been Head of Ducati Japan since September 1999, where he oversaw a transformation of the Ducati business and average unit sales growth of 38% per year. He has a degree in Business Administration from Bocconi University, Milan and began his career at Ducati in 1998 in the sales department at the Company’s Bologna headquarters in Italy.

“Mirko’s outstanding professionalism, dedication and understanding of the motorcycle business make him the right person to take responsibility for the company’s global sales,” said Carlo Di Biagio, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding. “Since he joined Ducati six years ago, Mirko has been trained internally, climbed up rapidly through the Company and shown a rare combination of talent, youthful energy and commercial maturity. His experience at Ducati in Bologna and Japan ensure that he knows the Company well, and that he will be operational and effective without delay.”

“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to help build the Ducati business worldwide,” said Mr. Bordiga. “In these challenging times – with a contracting market and an escalating Euro – it is vital to stay very focused on strengthening our relationship with our dealer network and on continuing to build the brand. I look forward to starting immediately with renewed energy and commitment.”

Mr. Nicola Greco, the previous Group Sales and Commercial Director, has been appointed Network Development Strategy Manager of the Ducati Group, reporting directly to the CEO. Mr. Shinobu Sasaki, Sales & Marketing Manager of Ducati Japan, will become Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Ducati Japan and will continue to report to Mr. Bordiga, who will continue in his capacity as President of Ducati Japan.

From a press release issued by American Honda:

American Honda Motor Company’s Motorcycle Division announces 6.9 million in racing contingencies


Torrance, CA–American Honda Motor Co., announces its racing contingency program for 2003. The 2003 contingency program will post more than 6.9 million dollars at over 600 events across the country and will include Road Racing, Supercross, Motocross and Dirt Track series.

With the addition of the new CBR600RR to the line, this year’s program is expanded to cover Road Racing events in 12 series nation wide. The Motocross and Supercross program have grown to include Dirt Track.

“It’s the most aggressive program we’ve ever had ” said Ray Blank, Vice President of American Honda, “with payouts at over 600 events nationwide, it makes more sense than ever to race a Honda.”

Payouts will be credited to the Red Rider Rewards card–the industry’s only contingency debit card. Racers can use the Red Rider Rewards card anywhere Visa is accepted.

For complete details on events included, eligibility and payout schedules please go to www.hondaredriders.com.

From a press release:

MotoGP IRTA tests
Friday 21 February, 2003
Jerez, Spain

FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM AND GAULOISES YAMAHA TEAM LAUNCH 2003 CAMPAIGN IN SPANISH STYLE

The Fortuna Yamaha and Gauloises Yamaha teams marked the formal beginning of their 2003 MotoGP campaigns with a presentation and dinner attended by 200 media and VIP guests last night. The event took place at an amazing indoor bullring at the Finca Fuente Rey near to Jerez in Andalucia, Spain and featured the region’s famous “dancing” horses. The event also marked the start of the new partnership between Yamaha and Altadis, owner of the Fortuna and Gauloises brands.

The presentation saw speeches from Yamaha Motor Racing B.V. managing director Lin Jarvis and co-presidents of Altadis Pablo Isla and Jean-Dominique Comolli. The microphone then fell to team principals Davide Brivio and Hervé Poncharal.

Finally it was the turn of the four riders to come on stage and reveal the new designs of their YZR-M1 machines – Spaniard Carlos Checa and Italian Marco Melandri in the silver and red of Fortuna Yamaha and Brazilian Alex Barros with Frenchman Olivier Jacque in Gauloises Yamaha blue.

“I will never forget going onto the straight for the first time when I first rode the bike,” recalled 20-year-old 250cc World Champion Melandri. “When I opened the throttle I imagined it would be about twice as powerful as the 250, but I just couldn’t believe it. It was at least three times as much. I have had some more time on the bike and it’s getting better each time I ride it, but I’m looking forward to the next tests to give me a real idea before the first race in Suzuka in April.”

For Melandri’s experienced team-mate Checa it is a return to the colours of Spain’s number one cigarette brand Fortuna. “Fortuna was my first big sponsor when I won the Spanish 250 Championship and moved into the World Championship,” explained the affable Spaniard who keeps his well-known bull-shaped number seven this year despite finishing fifth in the 2002 title-race. “They were also my sponsor when I won my first GP which was, of course, very special.

“Everything is going very well with our preparations for the new season so far, apart from some poor weather last time we were in Jerez. I have full confidence in this project and in Yamaha and all the people behind me. I believe we can do great things, and why not from the first race? We’ve worked hard all winter and everything is open now so we’ll just have to wait and see what Suzuka brings.”

The team is taking part in the three-day official IRTA test in Jerez until Sunday and will then move to Estoril in Portugal for a further two days testing before the last European IRTA test in Barcelona on 15/16 March. The final outing before the 2003 season gets under way will be a two-day test in Suzuka prior to the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday 6th April.