MotoGP teams back on track at Sepang and Jerez

[KUCIAR666]

MotoGP teams back on track at Sepang and Jerez

MotoGP action resumes on Monday with tests to be held at Sepang in Malaysia, and Jerez in Spain. Both venues will play host to MotoGP teams for three days before the winter break, providing one last opportunity for the riders to continue preparations for next season before the end of 2005. It will be the final chance until next year as teams are not permitted to test between the 1st of December until the 20th of January.

The majority of MotoGP teams will run in Malaysia to make the most of the hot weather there. It will be the first test of the pre-season for the Yamaha teams, although others such as Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki took the chance to test at Valencia after the last Grand Prix of the 2005 season.

It will be another chance to see the new faces of the MotoGP class with rookies such as Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner, Randy de Puniet and Chris Vermeulen continuing their adaptation to their new machines.

While the Japanese manufacturers will be working at Sepang, Ducati will test at Jerez with new signing Sete Gibernau and Italian veteran Loris Capirossi in action. Several 250cc outfits will also test at the Spanish circuit from Monday to Wednesday.

 

[KUCIAR666]

Sepang test times - Monday.

Sepang test times - Monday
1. Marco Melandri ITA Fortuna Honda 2min 2.95 secs
2. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team 2min 3.2 secs
3. Carlos Checa SPA Honda Pons 2min 3.58 secs
4. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 2min 3.75 secs
5. Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Factory Racing 2min 3.78 secs
6. Valentino Rossi ITA Yamaha Factory Racing 2min 3.8 secs
7. Toni Elias SPA Fortuna Honda 2min 4.05 secs
8. John Hopkins USA Team Suzuki MotoGP 2min 4.13 secs
9. Casey Stoner AUS Honda Pons 2min 4.29 secs
10. Shinya Nakano JPN Kawasaki Racing Team 2min 4.9 secs
11. James Ellison GBR Tech 3 Yamaha 2min 5.1 secs
12. Chris Vermulen AUS Team Suzuki MotoGP 2min 5.56 secs
13. Randy de Puniet FRA Kawasaki Racing Team 2min 5.6 secs

 

[KUCIAR666]

Preese

Gauloises Yamaha Team Get Back to Business in Sepang
Monday, November 28, 2005 - Gauloises Yamaha

Just three weeks after rounding off Yamaha?s victorious 2005 season in Valencia, Gauloises Yamaha Team riders Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards were back in Malaysia at their most frequently-visited testing venue today, as they commenced their winter program at Sepang alongside Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha Tech 3. A short rain shower in the morning slightly delayed proceedings, but the weather then stayed dry and the team was able to continue working uninterrupted through to the end of the day.

Rossi concentrated mainly on Michelin tyre testing, before getting on to the prototype version of the new 2006-spec YZR-M1 towards the end of the session. He completed a short run of the 5.548km circuit on the new bike and will begin more in-depth work on it tomorrow. Edwards spent the day focusing on the new riding style he has been adapting to over the last part of the season, working with settings and electronics on his M1 as well as testing some new tyres for Michelin.

According to the unofficial lap times, the fastest man on the track today was Marco Melandri (Honda) with a time of 2?02.95. He was followed by Nicky Hayden, Carlos Checa and MotoGP rookie Dani Pedrosa (all Honda) with Edwards (2?03.78) and Rossi (2?03.80) fifth and sixth fastest.

COLIN EDWARDS ? 5th, 2?03.78, 64 LAPS

?As usual it was hot and humid out there, but it feels good to be back on the bike. We had a bit of a rain delay in the morning and got started a bit late, but once we did get going I instantly felt comfortable on the bike. I said in Valencia that I needed to get out and do lap after lap to really ingrain this new style in to my head, and this test is offering me that chance. As soon as I started I felt that it was coming much more easily than at the last two races; I didn?t have to make such an effort to consciously think about doing it and it felt more natural. We played around with some new settings and electronics and found that we are moving even more towards Valentino?s settings; it all felt good. We tested a couple of tyres for Michelin, but mostly today was about getting back into the swing of things and getting comfortable with my new style.?

VALENTINO ROSSI ? 6th, 2?03.80, 60 LAPS

?My first impressions of the new bike are very positive. The engine seems a little bit faster and it feels more stable. However I only did a short run; just a few laps, so it?s really too early to make any detailed observations about it at this stage. Tomorrow the real work will start and we will take some time to try to understand the new bike and begin to work on the set-up. Most of today we spent on the 2005 bike, testing tyres for Michelin and trying to understand the problems that we had here during the race in September. We made some investigations and tried to gather some information to help us, and we made some good progress. We will continue like this tomorrow as well as getting started working on the new bike.?

DAVIDE BRIVIO ? GAULOISES YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR

?This morning the track was a bit wet so we had a delay to our starting time. It?s only the first day back but it was a positive start for both riders. Valentino made some laps on the new bike, just to get the initial feeling, and tomorrow we will start to work properly on it, trying to gather as much information as we can. Colin is continuing from where he left off in Valencia, getting used to his new style of riding and adapting his settings to match it. He will carry on like this tomorrow and then on Wednesday he will try the new bike also.?

First Day of Testing For Marco And Toni at Sepang
Monday, November 28, 2005 - Fortuna Honda

The 2006 championship started today for Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki. The teams of the four Japanese manufactures came back to action at Sepang, Malesia for the last test of the year, three days before the winter break, providing one last opportunity for the riders to continue preparations for next season before the end of 2005. It will be the final chance until next year as teams are not permitted to test between the 1st of December until the 20th of January.

The first day of testing was very hot and humid (30 degrees the air temperature and over 70% of humidity).
Because of the overnight rain, the track was wet in the morning and the Fortuna Honda riders could start testing only from 12.00. Both Marco Melandri and Toni Elias worked hard out there and were very positive.
Marco worked mainly on set up and tyre testing while Toni, at his second debut on the RC211V after the test in Valencia, lapped in order to gain confidence wit! h the bike.

MARCO MELANDRI (61 laps, 2?02?96): "It's only three weeks since I raced the bike I felt good and did a lot of laps. The track today was not in very good condition but I could find a decent rhythm. We spent the day working on the general bike settings for the bike before we started testing tyres for Michelin. I was injured when the race was held here so we needed to fix the best setting before testing several front and rear tyres. Unfortunately I had to stop my test one hour early. I ?m not 100% well, I was quite sick while I was in Japan last week so I didn't want to get too tired because we have two more days testing.?

TONI ELIAS (49 laps, 2?04?059): "I like the bike and I?m very happy of today?s test session. The conditions were not ideal today because the track was quite wet in the morning but we got in a lot of laps. I made a lot of kilometres today and found a good riding position. I d! idn't get crazy with the set up by trying to many things, just little adjustments. I felt more comfortable on the bike today than I did at the first test in Valencia. I was very calm and comfortable and lapped without forcing. I am very happy with this team and my chief mechanic,
Antonio Jiminez. Everybody has been very helpful and it has given me a lot of confidence for this test and the future. "

 

[KUCIAR666]

DUCATI DESMOSEDICI GP6 MAKES ITS TRACK DEBUT AT JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA

Jerez (Spain), Monday 28 November 2005 - The Ducati Desmosedici GP6 took to the track today for its maiden run at the circuit that will host the opening round of the 2006 MotoGP World Championship.

Unfortunately the rain that had fallen during the night delayed the start of testing: in the morning both Ducati Marlboro Team riders were only able to carry out a rapid bike 'shakedown', but they took to the track again at around 1.30 pm and continued testing for the rest of the day.

With low temperatures and damp patches around the Spanish track, conditions were not ideal, but Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau were able to put in their first serious laps with the Italian manufacturer's new bike in the afternoon.

Loris and Sete also had the 2005 version available in the pit garage for eventual back-to-back tests but on this first day they concentrated exclusively on the new GP6.

Loris Capirossi, who set a best time of 1m42.644s in his 35 laps, was already able to give some positive impressions.

"Despite the fact that the track was not in the best condition, I got a good feeling from the new bike" declared Loris. "I immediately felt OK on it and that's positive. We did a good job today and started off in the best possible way. As the conditions were not so good, we mainly focussed on engine management to improve the bike's 'rideability' rather than suspension set-up or tyres. On this track in these conditions you can do a good job and that's what we did today. Hopefully tomorrow we'll wake up with some good weather."

It was also the first time out on the 2006 bike for Sete Gibernau, who spent the day getting used to his new team, machine and surroundings. Today was virtually a debut for Sete with Ducati, seeing as in the previous test at Valencia the weather conditions did not allow him to do any serious testing. The Spanish rider completed 52 laps, his best time being 1m42.606s.

"It was a good day today" commented Sete at the end of the session. "First impressions were good and I am more and more convinced that I made the right decision, especially because I can see that everyone, members of the team and Bridgestone personnel included, really want to do well and they have a lot of faith in me: that was what I was looking for and I'm happy to have found it. We've got a lot of work to do but the most important thing is that everyone has a great desire to work! Today I started to get familiar with the Ducati and the Bridgestone tyres as well as the team's working method. Let's hope tomorrow will bring some good weather so we can continue working like we did today."

The Ducati Marlboro Team will continue testing at Jerez tomorrow, Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 November.

Temperature: air 17? - 18?, track 16? - 20?

 

[KUCIAR666]

POSITIVE FIRST DAY AT SEPANG FOR HAYDEN AND PEDROSA

The final test of the 2005 MotoGP season began at the 5.548 km Sepang circuit close to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today.


The two-man Repsol Honda factory team will be comprised of Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa in 2006 with the two men approaching the Sepang test with vastly different objectives. Former US Superbike Champion Hayden, a three-year MotoGP veteran, will bear the brunt of RCV testing at Sepang with his new team-mate, reigning double 250cc World Champion Pedrosa continuing his education at the top level in the senior category of motorcycle racing.
Hayden tested a combination of the latest chassis developments from HRC and a range of front and rear tyres. Pedrosa, from Barcelona, Spain, spent his day covering as many kilometres as possible on the 990cc 240 PS plus GP machine growing more and more confident as the day wore on.
The test is scheduled to last three-days but the teams lost much of the morning session when overnight rain left the track surface wet delaying serious work until after 11.00 am.


Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 2m 03.027s - 52 laps.

"A decent days work looking back on it. Good weather this afternoon and we just kept chippin away at the job all across the board and we made good progress in some places. There were a few things I really liked about the bike today. We tried some chassis changes and they help a lot, like going into the corners the bike is better and that was good for my confidence. We also tested front and rear tyres for Michelin, which seem pretty good. We have to work hard at this test and get more consistent. A lot of guys are working hard for me here and we have to take a lot out of this test."


Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 2m 03.70s - 52 laps.

"I was looking to get a good feeling on the bike try to find the best riding position for me get comfortable. Then just ride and get more information for the team and gain experience with the bike, engine chassis and tyres. The mechanics need experience with the new group everybody has to grow up together. Today I think we made big improvement in confidence compared to the test at Valencia, I am now much more confident on the bike. Braking hard on this high bike was much better than the last time I tested it. We only tried two different types of Michelin tyres today. I don't have any experience of the Michelin tyres so we let Michelin do our thinking for me today because they know the tyres me and my chief mechanic, Michael Leitner, don't have the experience yet. But I could feel the front end pushing but I think this is coming from the big rear tyre. The step up to MotoGP is very big, much bigger than from 125 to 250. I like the Sepang circuit and this will help during this test. "

 

[KUCIAR666]

Sepang test ? day two:

1. Valentino Rossi ITA Yamaha Factory Racing 2min 2.61 secs
2. Marco Melandri ITA Fortuna Honda 2min 2.65 secs
3. Toni Elias SPA Fortuna Honda 2min 2.78 secs
4. Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Factory Racing 2min 2.94 secs
5. Carlos Checa SPA Honda Pons 2min 2.96 secs
6. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team 2min 3.05 secs
7. John Hopkins USA Team Suzuki MotoGP 2min 3.1 secs
8. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 2min 3.15 secs
9. Shinya Nakano JPN Kawasaki Racing Team 2min 3.52 secs
10. Casey Stoner AUS Honda Pons 2min 3.56 secs
11. Chris Vermulen AUS Team Suzuki MotoGP 2min 4.5 secs
12. Randy de Puniet FRA Kawasaki Racing Team 2min 4.5 secs
13. James Ellison GBR Tech 3 Yamaha 2min 5.52 secs





MARCO AND TONI CONTINUE THEIR TESTING PROGRAMME AT SEPANG

Sepang, the Fortuna Honda team riders continued their testing programme today at Sepang and enjoyed improved conditions compared to yestarday, allowing the riders to enter the track early on in the morning.

Although Marco was not in perfect physical condition, he continued to be one of the fastest riders on track: after having scored the best lap time yesterday, today the Italian posted the second fastest time.

Alongside Marco, his team mate Toni Elias who, entering his second MotoGP season but his first
for Honda, is building up experience on the RC211V. Toni completed 80 laps improving his feeling with the bike lap by lap, the Spaniard signed today?s third fastest time.

MARCO MELANDRI (63 laps, 2?02?63 ):

?Today we tested a range of front and rear tyres. I?m very satisfied of the work done today and I?m very happy to work with the Michelin technicians at the development of the tyres. I completely 63 laps and made an endurance test covering half of the race distance. Tomorrow we have scheduled a race simulation. I?m very happy, the bike is working very well and I feel a bit better compared to yesterday.?

TONI ELIAS (80 laps, 2?02?76)

?We are continuing to work on the setting of the bike. Today we focused especially on forks and the feeling with the bike has improved. I?m feeling more comfortable even though at the moment I?m not riding as I would to ride. All in all, I?m very happy, we have adopted a step-by-step approach and I?m gaining confidence with the RC211V.

Unfortunately today I was not feeling well but thanks to the doctors of the circuit, I could finish work programme scheduled for today.



ROSSI AND EDWARDS SPEED UP IN SEPANG

Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards completed a positive second day of testing at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia today, both making marked improvements to their lap times from yesterday. Rossi topped the unofficial time sheets at the close of play and Edwards was also over eight-tenths of a second faster than on day one.

Rossi spent most of the day testing Michelin tyres and getting to grips with Yamaha?s new prototype 2006-spec YZR-M1, which he rode for the first time yesterday, before switching back onto the 2005 bike towards the end of the day to continue working with Michelin. Edwards also tested several tyres, the American continuing to work exclusively on the 2005-spec bike before he tries the new prototype tomorrow afternoon. Rossi set a best time of 2?02.61, inside the lap record and over a second faster than his best lap of yesterday. He was followed by Melandri and Elias (both Honda) with Edwards in fourth with a time of 2?02.94.

VALENTINO ROSSI ? 1st, 2?02.61, 60 LAPS

?I am really happy with what we did today on the new bike and I am feeling quite positive about it. I have a good feeling on it and more stability than with the old M1, so this is very encouraging considering that it?s just the first day of work. Today we did a lot of work with Michelin while trying to understand and gather data for the new bike. At the end of the day I changed back to the old bike and continued testing tyres. Yesterday the feeling was not perfect with the 2005 bike but we changed some settings and today it began to feel much better. We had some problems here in the race and so it?s good to make these improvements. Tomorrow we have some more things to try with the new bike before we fly home for the holidays!?

COLIN EDWARDS ? 4th, 2?02.94, 67 LAPS

?During my first run this morning I went over half a second quicker than yesterday and then went even faster later, so it was a good day. We mostly concentrated on testing tyres in the morning and then the afternoon was spent trying out some other stuff for Yamaha. This new style is not so much about my position on the bike ? there are small changes to that but I think only a serious ?Edwards fan? could notice ? its more about my style of controlling the bike before and during a corner. My technique has definitely changed and it?s feeling better each day as I get more used to it. Tomorrow I think I need to do a long run and then I hope to get on the new bike in the afternoon. I am really excited about trying it out; Valentino seems very positive about it so I can?t wait to have a go myself!?

DAVIDE BRIVIO ? GAULOISES YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR

?Both riders worked a lot for Michelin today and it was a positive day all round. Valentino made a good start with the 2006-spec bike and Colin also continued to make improvements to his performance, so it was another good day of testing. Tomorrow Valentino has a few more things to do on the new bike and then we hope to be able to give it to Colin for the afternoon to give him a chance to make his own evaluation.?

 

[KUCIAR666]

Checa fights chatter, Stoner chatter and cramp.

Honda Pons riders Carlos Checa and Casey Stoner both battled front end chatter problems with their RC211Vs during day two of the Sepang MotoGP test.

As a result, former factory Ducati rider Checa, who had been third fastest on Monday, slipped to fifth position by the end of day two - but still improved his best lap time by 0.62secs, placing him within 0.35secs of fastest man Valentino Rossi.

"Today we spent our time making the bike more comfortable for me to ride," began the Spaniard, who completed 67 laps. "Basically we tested tyres and at the same time tried to get rid of the front-end vibration and wheel chatter we have. We tried about six or seven different tyres, profiles, compounds, etc and had improved a little by the end of the day.

"We tested different suspension parts and machine settings trying to clear up the problem I was having with the front end. If we fix this I can make some real progress with this bike. We are at the starting point and I have heard that the new chassis HRC is preparing is better than the one I used today so I am already looking forward to testing the new bike in January," he added.

Meanwhile, MotoGP rookie Stoner only managed to get in 48 laps due to severe cramp in his forearms and thighs. The Australian, who had been ninth on day one after a fall, would end day two in tenth place - 0.95secs from the top, as he too sought a chatter solution.

"Basically we improved but we are still trying to get rid of front wheel chatter," conformed Casey, who lapped 0.73secs faster than on Monday. "We tried to set the bike up and tried to improve my understanding of what I am capable of doing on this machine. So we just ran through the options we have here. We didn't try anything on geometry just suspension settings, ride height and the riding position.

"We don't have a big selection of tyres from Michelin, which is probably best because I have to get used to the bike. Unfortunately my arms were cramping up and we had to stop, I have to get fitter before the next test. So far the test has been very good for me and I'm really beginning to get a good feel for the bike.

"If I don't get the cramps tomorrow we will carry on testing the general bike settings," concluded the 2005 250cc runner-up.

 

[KUCIAR666]

HAYDEN AND PEDROSA NOTCH UP MORE IMPORTANT LAPS IN SEPANG

Repsol Honda team-mates Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa had another productive day in Malaysia ending day-two of the scheduled three-day test notching up 69 and 59 laps respectively.


Hayden's team concentrated on chassis testing while Pedrosa was happy to get more vital laps under his belt gaining valuable track-time on the Honda RC211V.


Tomorrow sees the final action for 2005 before the winter testing ban is enforced where the riders will get a well earned rest prior to the 2006 testing commences next year.


Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 2m 03.00s - 69 laps.

"Honestly I didn't have the greatest of days and I didn't improve on my lap time of yesterday. We tested chassis stuff all day. I was using the chassis that Max and Sete used at some races after Donington. It has some good points but I felt the old chassis was a little better because I know it so well. This chassis turns in good but in the fast corners I was not so comfortable. We used the same tyre we had used at the GP back in September but tomorrow we will test for Michelin and look for a tyre to use with this chassis then smooth out and get consistent. Today was good but I'm not satisfied with my own performance, I could have been better."


Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 2m 03.28s - 59 laps.

"It was a difficult day, hard work in this heat and humidity. Today we tried several suspension settings and the ride height of the bike to try and make it more comfortable for me to ride. We did not change the type of tyre we were using because we don't want to change too much at one time while we are trying to get the information we need for me to get the best out of the bike. I found the basic direction that I need to be working in but it is still too early for me to say if the front end is really good for me. The engine settings we used were basically the same as we used yesterday. I am happy with the test so far and we have definitely made some progress and that is the most important thing. MotoGP testing is so intense and we quite a programme of tests, it's much different to what I have been used to."

 

[KUCIAR666]

POSITIVE DAY 2 AT JEREZ FOR DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM

Ducati Desmosedici GP6 testing debut continued today with Loris Capirossi concentrating on engine management and new tyres while Sete Gibernau continued to get used to the Italian bike and the Bridgestone tyres.

Jerez (Spain), Tuesday 29 November 2005 - Weather conditions improved at Jerez today, enabling the Ducati Marlboro Team to make the most of the second day of testing scheduled at the Spanish circuit.
Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau first took to the track at 11.40 am due to the cold morning temperatures, but lapped until 5 pm exclusively with the new Desmosedici GP6.

Loris Capirossi, who continued engine management work aimed at improving the bike's 'rideability', was satisfied with the GP6's immediate feeling. The Italian rider was also able to take advantage of the improved track conditions to test several new Bridgestone tyres as well as new the Ohlins suspensions.

Capirossi completed a total of 60 laps, setting a quickest time of 1m41.489s.

"We were lucky with the weather!" declared a smiling Capirossi. "Despite the fact that it was cold, the track was in a pretty decent condition. We were able to work better than yesterday and the positive impressions of the first day were confirmed. Today we also tested several tyres and new front and rear suspensions and the feeling was good right away. Everything is going well. Hopefully if the weather stays good tomorrow, I'll do a few back-to-back tests with the GP5 but I can honestly say that our new bike has got off to a good start."

It was a positive day also for his new team-mate Sete Gibernau, who is becoming more and more familiar with his new Desmosedici machine. Today the Spanish rider concentrated mainly on suspension and set-up work.

Sete totalled 66 laps around the Jerez track, with a best time of 1m41.466s

"Today we focussed on set-up and suspension work" declared Sete. "It was useful to get to know exactly what I need to find the right feeling with the new bike. We made progress and managed to find a path that seemed right. With this set-up tomorrow we can concentrate more on the engine mapping. We are making small steps forward to avoid going in the wrong direction. I also tested the new tyres and started to give a few indications to the Bridgestone guys. I'm pleased with what we did today and hope to continue like this tomorrow."

Tomorrow will be the third and final day of testing for the Ducati Marlboro Team at the Spanish circuit before the winter break. The team will next be seen in action at Sepang, Malaysia from 23-25 January 2006.

Temperatures: air 15? - 17?, track 16? - 24?

 

[KUCIAR666]

Teams like Kawasaki, Suzuki and Honda Repsol and Pons don?t updating their web sites.......they even don?t sending any prees releases ...this's what I found on motogp.com

Kawasaki also launched their 2006 prototype at Sepang. Shinya Nakano was pleased with the new package which features a new chassis and a new engine, more powerful and which improves the bike handling thanks to a more effective power delivery. The test of the new bike were so positive that the Japanese rider only focuses on this machine, while his team-mate Randy de Puniet continued to work on the 2005 Ninja ZX-RR.

Honda Pons? Casey Stoner and Carlos Checa were also riding the teams? 2005 bikes, while the Yamaha Tech 3 ?has a new package for this three-day test: a Dunlop-shod 2005 YZR M1. Team manager Herv? Poncharal praised the work of Briton James Ellison, underlining his excellent feedback, even if they still have to assess the potential of the Dunlop tires compared to Michelin and Bridgestone?s products. Ellison was the only rider to complete a race simulation on this second day.

At Suzuki, John Hopkins continued to work on the 2006 GSV-R prototype, which like the Kawasaki prototype, features a new chassis and a new engine, while Chris Vermeulen was still learning the Sepang track before possibly testing the new bike on Wednesday.

 

[Lebowski]

Hail Kuciar!

Thanks for all this Kuciar

:bow: :bow: :bow:

Top Read!

 

[KUCIAR666]

UNOFFICIAL LAP TIMES

Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda, 2?02.77
Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda, 2?02.79
Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda, 2?02.86
Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki, 2?02.93
John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki, 2?03.10
Carlos Checa (SPA) Honda, 2?03.39
COLIN EDWARDS (USA) Gauloises Yamaha Team, 2?03.61
Casey Stoner (AUS) Honda, 2?03.70
VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) Gauloises Yamaha Team, 2?03.85
Toni Elias (SPA) Honda, 2?03.95
Randy du Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki, 2?04.27
Chris Vermuelen (AUS) Suzuki, 2?04.50
James Ellison (GBR) Yamaha, 2?05.00





RAIN AFFECTS THIRD DAY OF TESTING FOR YAMAHA IN MALAYSIA

The final day of Yamaha?s three-day Sepang Test was interrupted today, when rain throughout the morning meant that Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards were not able to get out on track until mid-afternoon. Despite the delay, Edwards had his first ride on the prototype 2006-spec YZR-M1 and both riders completed some important tyre testing for Michelin.

Temperatures were much lower after the rain and the character and conditions of the track were quite different to the past two days, causing a shake-up in the unofficial times. Fastest man on the track today was MotoGP rookie Dani Pedrosa (Honda), who set a best lap of 2?02.77. This was still short of the 2?02.61 set by Rossi yesterday, which remains the fastest time over the three days of the test. The Yamaha riders were further down the order in seventh and ninth places today; Edwards completing 43 laps with a best time of 2?03.61, whilst Rossi set a fastest lap of 2?03.85 after just 22 laps.

Both riders now fly to Japan for a short promotional visit, before heading back to their respective homes in the UK and America for the holiday season. The Team will reconvene in Sepang on 23rd January for the first test of the 2006 MotoGP season.

COLIN EDWARDS ? 7th, 2?03.61, 43 LAPS

?After it had finally dried up I did one run on the old bike to check a few things and then I got onto the new bike pretty quickly. It took a bit of time to work things out and find my settings, but once I got going it felt great. The track conditions had really altered after the rain; it wasn?t as easy out there as it has been and we encountered a few problems, but we managed to find the right tyres and iron things out. At the end of the day I feel really positive and quite excited about the new bike, especially considering that it?s such early days. The stability is definitely improved and the overall feedback is really good. With a new bike, it?s always a case of sacrificing some things to improve in other areas, but everything combined together on this bike feels great. Anyway, it?s been a pretty good test all round and it?s a good feeling to sign off the year on a high note.?

VALENTINO ROSSI ? 9th, 2?03.85, 22 LAPS

?We had planned to do a longer run on the new bike this morning but unfortunately the weather didn?t allow it and we had to wait to get started. We only had time to do a few things before we changed back onto the old bike. After that we tested some more tyres and still managed to complete some good work, even though we didn?t do so many laps. I am happy about this test because overall it?s been positive. We made some good improvements with the old bike, made a strong start with the new one and gathered some important data. Now Yamaha have some feedback about the new prototype and they can work on it over the winter, before we come back here in January after the winter break to continue our development.?

DAVIDE BRIVIO ? GAULOISES YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR

?This has been an important test for us. Yamaha had the new bike ready for us early and we have been able to give them some information about it. Now they can begin to fine-tune it. It?s shown a good level of performance from the start and both riders are positive about it, but we know that there is a lot of work to do yet. Anyway, the information from this test will be very useful for Yamaha over the winter. Now we wait to come back here in January with a more final version of the bike. The rain made the conditions of the track quite difficult today and it was harder for Colin to feel the benefits of the new bike, but despite this he was quite happy. Anyway, it?s good to experience this, as we could find ourselves with these conditions at a race and so the information from Colin is very useful for our engineers. It?s been a good test and now we?re all glad to have a rest before the hard work starts again!?


RAIN SPOILS THE LAST DAY OF TESTING AT SEPANG
The final day of the three-day MotoGP test held at Sepang, Malaysia was characterized by rapidly changing weather conditions that hindered the Honda MotoGP riders to carry out their programme of work scheduled for today.
The morning session was virtually abandoned by most riders due to the half wet - half dry track conditions but a heavy down pour at lunchtime saw several riders take to the track testing Michelin wet weather tyres.
The test was positive for Marco Melandri who tested some wet tyres for Michelin.
The changing weather conditions hindered Tonis Elias to improve his lap time but he was happy of his debut with the RC211V on wet.
All in all, the test was very positive for him: he has grown consistently, showing that he is adapting well to the new bike.

MARCO MELANDRI (56 laps, 2?02?82):

"Not so bad, even if we could not test much in the wet, or dry conditions either. I was supposed to run a race simulation and try four different tyres but the rain prevented that. It was the same with the wet tyres. I had two tyres to test but only managed to test one because the track dried out too quickly. These three days of testing were very important: I found a good rhythm all week and I improved my performance over that in the race here. The test was very positive for me and the team and I will now wait for the new bike to arrive in January."

TONI ELIAS ( 50 laps, 2?03?98):

"Not so bad with the wet tyres today but I need to have more experience with this bike before I can be really fast in the wet. I didn't try too hard when the track was drying. The half wet - half dry track is not good for testing. Really all we did was test tyres today but it was good because we have found the direction we have to work in at the next tests. The test was positive, the bike is very good and I'm gaining confidence but I'm not where I need to be yet."

 

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Positive first test for new-look Team SUZUKI MotoGP

Team SUZUKI MotoGP has completed its first test in preparation for the 2006 season at Sepang in Malaysia, with promising results to take into the winter.
John Hopkins used the three day test to evaluate the prototype version of Suzuki?s 2006 GSV-R race bike and both he, and his crew, believes that the new machine has good potential to take them forward. Hopkins was also able to undertake a major evaluation of Bridgestone?s latest developments and completely new Ohlins suspension. The Anglo-American star revelled in his new role of determining the team?s direction for 2006, managing to complete over 150 laps and recording a fastest time of 2?03.0
Chris Vermeulen was at Sepang for the first time in his career and quickly got to terms with the technical Malaysian track, getting more than 170 laps under his belt. His times dropped steadily throughout the three days and he was in a more competitive position at the end of the test, with a quickest time of 2?04.5. He too was able to test new development parts and put in exhaustive runs for Suzuki?s tyre partner Bridgestone.
The hot and humid conditions at Sepang were ideal for the team to put the GSV-R through a series of demanding tests. All aspects of the new prototype bike and the riders? feedback will now be scrutinised at Japan during the seven-week test ban that comes into operation on December 1st.

Team SUZUKI MotoGP and its two young racers will next be in action at Sepang during late January for the start of an intensive testing programme. The new MotoGP World Championship season is provisionally scheduled to begin at Jerez in Spain on Sunday 26th March.

John Hopkins:

?Everything went pretty well really, we got through a lot of stuff ? probably the most I have ever got through in a test with Suzuki. The initial feeling towards the new bike was somewhat different but we did some laps on it and got a better feeling quite quickly. The lap-times dropped fairly well and we got the times back to what the old bike was doing. We also got through a lot of tyre testing throughout the week and it looks like Bridgestone have got some good plans for next year. We are now looking forward to the new motor coming in January and if it as good as the factory hopes it is then we can expect good things from me and Suzuki in 2006.?

Chris Vermeulen:

?I am really happy with the test. I spent the first day learning the track and getting to know the bike as it was my first real test on the GSV-R and the Bridgestone tyres. I tried out a lot of different things, especially on the second day where I spent most of the time making long tyre runs for Bridgestone ? which in these conditions was very tiring. I had hoped to go a bit quicker today but the track was a bit greasy so that wasn?t possible. John?s comments on the new bike seem very promising and we should have the new engine and chassis together in a package for the next test so I?m really looking forward to that."

Paul Denning ? Team Manager:

?This has been a very good test for us in more ways than one. We have tested a variety of new parts for next season?s bike and have been able to give the technicians at Suzuki some invaluable feedback for them to work on. Both riders have done a really good job with the amount of work we have put them through over the three days.
?John has grown in stature over the test and is enjoying his responsibility of defining Suzuki?s direction for next season. He did a great job on the prototype bike and he really stepped up to the mark in terms of feedback and evaluation. John gave his team the information they needed and as usual he gave 100 percent over the three days. The most encouraging thing for Team SUZUKI MotoGP is that on a totally prototype machine ? with a number of technical issues that still need to be improved - he was able to do consistent 2?03 laps and generally be only half a second off the fastest riders and bikes at the test.
?Chris has shown fantastic potential here this week and he is getting stronger and faster every time he gets on the bike. He?s progressed in a very step by step way and is very relaxed. He knows that the first race isn?t till March and he?s not going to prove anything here this week - he has gone about the task of learning to be a Grand Prix rider very professionally. Chris? feedback has been first class and Bridgestone has been impressed with his ability to give such clear comments on the tyres. All in all it has been a very good first full test for Chris and he certainly knows what he wants and how he wants to get it!
?Overall it was an encouraging test, the bikes ran like clockwork without a single mechanical problem and both of the crews and the riders did a great job. We will now take the results of the test and work on them to get the best package ready for next year.
?I would also like to thank all Suzuki and MotoGP fans for their support this year, we have had our ups and downs but we have never stopped trying and they can be assured that that will not change in 2006. We have a new look team for next season and some very exciting developments on the way that we all hope will push Suzuki back to the front of the field.?

 

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POSITIVE DEBUT FOR DUCATI DESMOSEDICI GP6

Today's testing was conditioned by cold wind but the first outing for the 2006 Ducati Marlboro Team machine was positive.

Jerez (Spain), Wednesday 30 November 2005 - Today's third and final day of testing for the Ducati Marlboro Team at Jerez de la Frontera was marked by clear skies and sunny conditions, but a cold wind meant that Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau could only take to the track at around noon.

Following Monday's convincing debut and yesterday's confirmation in the improved track conditions, for the final day of testing both riders preferred to concentrate almost exclusively on the Desmosedici GP6, lapping in similar times. Only Capirossi went out for a few laps with the GP5 towards the end of the day, which was useful to confirm a series of development indications.

Loris and Sete also tried out several qualifying tyres to give indications to the Bridgestone technicians.

At the end of the day Loris Capirossi had completed 64 laps, setting a best time of 1m40.947s on qualifying tyres and 1m41.394s on race tyres.

"Today the wind was really cold" declared Loris. "We did a lot of work with tyres of the same compound but with different structures and I think that our Bridgestone friends picked up some interesting data. At the end of the day I did several laps with the GP5, which was useful to understand the differences after three days of testing with the new bike. I am pleased with the work we have done over the last three days but now I just can't wait to go on holiday!"

Sete Gibernau continued to make progress, remaining out on the track right until the final minute of the session to familiarise himself as much as possible with the Bridgestone-shod Desmosedici as well as with the working methods of his new team. The Spanish rider completed a total of 60 laps, recording a quickest time of 1m41.024s on qualifying tyres and 1m41.609s on race tyres.

"In these three days me and my team got to know each other a lot better" said Sete. "We did a good job and although we know there is a lot of work still to be done, this for sure is a great stimulus for me. Today for the first time I tried the Bridgestone qualifying tyres and they felt pretty good. It was important for me also to give my feelings to the Japanese technicians with these tyres. Now we're going to have a bit of a holiday break, but I can't wait to get back to testing at Sepang in January".

Now that the Ducati Marlboro Team's 2006 Desmosedici has completed a successful three-day shakedown test, the two riders can take a well-earned rest because tomorrow will see the start of the compulsory MotoGP testing ban which will remain in force until January 20, 2006.

The Ducati Marlboro Team will resume its testing programme once again at Sepang on January 23, this time together with all the other top MotoGP teams in view of the opening round of the 2006 championship which gets underway on March 26 at Jerez de la Frontera.

2006 Ducati Marlboro Team testing calendar:
January 23/24/25 - Sepang (Malaysia)
January 30, February 1/2 - Phillip Island (Australia)
February 14/15/16 - Sepang (Malaysia)

Temperatures: air 14? - 16?, track 14? - 22?

 

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SUCCESSFUL SEPANG TEST CONCLUDES 2005 SEASON FOR KAWASAKI

The Kawasaki Racing Team have completed their 2005 season with an exhausting, but very productive, three day test at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia.

And although todays third and final day was shortened by heavy rain showers in the morning, both Kawasaki riders, Shinya Nakano and Randy de Puniet, were able to post impressive lap times.

Nakano set the unofficial sixth fastest time of the test with a lap of 2'02.93 late on the final day. Meanwhile his new teammate, French rookie De Puniet, made a strong impression with a best lap of 2'04.27.

Riding the first prototype of the 2006 Ninja ZX-RR, Nakano completed 152 laps over three days despite being hampered by bruised ligaments in his left hand, an injury suffered at Valencia three weeks ago.

De Puniet made the most of his track opportunities to complete 183 laps, all but ten of these laps aboard the 2005 race version of the ZX-RR. Late on the final afternoon De Puniet ran 10 laps on the 2006 prototype.

The new machine features a new chassis and swinging arm combination fitted with a smaller, and more compact, in-line 990cc motor. Apart from a range of chassis and suspension set-up options, Nakano also evaluated two different firing order motors in preparation for the 2006 season, plus a range of the latest Bridgestone rear tyres.

De Puniet's main task was to continue his transition from the 250cc class to the much faster and heavier MotoGP machine.

The opening day of the test was also delayed by morning rain showers, with day two providing the best of the conditions with a typically hot and humid day at the Sepang Circuit.

Following the test both Nakano and De Puniet will enjoy a break from track activities during the winter test ban period before the first test session of 2006 in late January, also in Sepang.

Shinya Nakano: 2'02.93 - 152 laps
"I wasn't sure I could ride here for three days because I still had some pain and stiffness in my left hand. But in the end I could complete the test and was able to push for a fast time on the final afternoon. I'm very happy because we got through a big programme of work with the new prototype which has set a new direction, with both improved handling and engine response. I tried two different firing order motors to provide our engineers with data to evaluate the best combination of torque and top-end power. I'm in a very positive mood after this test and I'm looking forward to the next stage of development after a short holiday."

Randy de Puniet: 2'04.27 - 183 laps
"I have a very positive feeling from this test because I found some good solutions with the set-up on the '05 model ZX-RR. I did my best time on tyres that had done 12 laps and I'm sure I could have been faster on new tyres, but this was not my target at this test - the main job was to learn and understand the base set-up of the bike after coming from 250s. On day one I concentrated on adapting my riding style and then completed some testing of engine management and fuel injection set-ups, with the chance to run some consistent laps on the third day. Coming from a 250 the weight, power and engine braking of a MotoGP machine is completely different, but I'm happy with my progress - I have a good feeling from both the bike and tyres."

Harald Eckl: Team Manager
"The 2006 prototype ZX-RR is still not in its final specification, as Kawasaki engineers continue development in readiness for winter testing. But so far the response from the new chassis and motor is very positive and clearly a step in the right direction, especially with handling stability. We still have to improve engine performance and controllability and we now have some very good data for the future. Randy's efforts at this test were very encouraging, he made a big impression with his consistent pace and also his technical feedback to the engineers, despite his lack of MotoGP experience. He still has a lot to learn and understand, especially with things like engine braking, after coming from 250cc two strokes, but he is making very good progress."