|
|
2008-02-06 Rossi still on top at Sepang
 Be first to comment this story
 The second day of MotoGP testing at Sepang was run in extremely high temperatures and high humidity the thermometer registering mid 30 degrees with a track temperature rising from an early 46 to peak at an incredible 60 degrees at one point. For second day in succession, Valentino Rossi was on the top of the timesheets at Sepang, once again setting time under current lap record, although for a fraction of the second slower than yesterday. Meanwhile, his team-mate, Jorge Lorenzo, continued to struggle with front-end problems. 2006 MotoGP champion, Nicky Hayden, worked hard as usually and completed his test, heading home to Kentucky before returning to Jerez test from 16th to 18th this month. Gresini riders continued introduction to new team and machines, staying in Sepang for one more day.
Valentino Rossi - 1st - 2:00.472, 70 Laps
Today was another very good day and I had a good pace and rhythm all day. We tested some different Bridgestone tyres before again trying the one I prefer, which confirmed that this is the best one for us and so we will use it for the long run tomorrow. We worked a little bit on the suspension and also on the electronic mapping and we also tried a lot of practice starts, maybe as many as ten, and we need to improve a bit in this area. I also tried a new cowling which is aimed at improving the cooling system and this had a good result. Finally I tried a qualifying tyre again and, although I made a small mistake on my lap because I was quite tired by then, it was again very positive.
Nicky Hayden - 2nd - 2:00.900, 90 Laps:
Not too bad all in all a positive two-days testing. The team have worked extremely hard for me from day one of testing this year, the HRC engineers and the mechanics . Today we didn't focus on just one thing but worked on chassis comparison tests and working on tyres with Michelin. The track surface temperature was as high as it's ever been here and we got some positive feedback on tyres in the conditions. We found a good rear that gives good grip on the edge of the tyre. The front we tried was OK but we went back to the front tyre we had used at the last test. The chassis is now OK and we will have the new engine ready for the next test. It's been a pretty busy time and we go at it again in Jerez before the big show opens.
Shinya Nakano - 3rd - 2:02.049, 57 laps:
We started the day on the same base set up we ran yesterday then made some changes to the suspension before testing for Bridgestone. I was more comfortable on the bike today but we did not find any tyre combinations better than we ran yesterday and I didn’t better my lap times on either race tyres or qualifyers. We have one more day of testing here so I hope we improve a little tomorrow.
Jorge Lorenzo - 4th - 2:02.396, 55 Laps:
It has been quite a difficult day! We’re not so fast; slower than at the last test even though we have the same bike set-up, and we need to improve. Tomorrow I think I need to try some changes to my riding style. It’s still the same problem overall, with the front-end going into the corners, although I did try the new chassis and this is helping a little bit. After the session we had a long meeting with the engineers to look at all the data and now we will make a plan for tomorrow. We have one day left so of course we will try to make the most of it and finish the test in better shape.
Alex De Angelis - 5th - 2:02.646, 55 laps:
We worked mainly on the chassis today but could not improve on yesterday. We have quite a lot of chattering at this track and it made it impossible to run consistently good lap times. Later I tried the Bridgestone qualifying tyres but could not use them effectively. Tonight we will check the data to see which direction we take in testing tomorrow.
Sepang test - day 2 - unofficial lap times:
1. Valentino Rossi - Fiat Yamaha Team 2:00.472
2. Nicky Hayden - Repsol Hrc 2:00.900
3. Shinya Nakano - Honda Gresini 2:02.049
4. Jorge Lorenzo - Fiat Yamaha Team 2:02.396
5. Alex De Angelis - Honda Gresini 2:02.646
6. Olivier Jacque - Kawasaki Racing 2:03.513
7. Yamaha Test Rider - Yamaha Test Team 2:05.647
8. Tamaki Serizawa - Kawasaki Racing 2:06.027
9. Yamaha Test Rider - Yamaha Test Team 2:06.244
Sepang Lap Record
Casey Stoner (Ducati) 2007 - 2:02.108
Sepang Best Lap
Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 2006 - 2:00.605
|
Back to MotoGP news home
|
|
|
