|
MotoGP 2004 official review
MotoGP 2004 official review book
MotoGP 2004 review book
HighRevs Shop
|
2006-01-24 MotoGP test:Sepang:Rossi rules day 1
 Be first to comment this story
 After testing ban, top MotoGP teams finally gathered again in Sepang for first MotoGP test in 2006. Almost all teams were present on the test, except Konica Minolta Honda and WCM. Despite few drops of the rain in the morning, riders had great weather conditions, with air temperature of 30C, and track temperature of 49C.
Fastest rider of the day was Rossi, just edging his closest rival from the last season, Melandri, who was again faster than Hayden. Dani Pedrosa has shown why was he given HRC factory bike by setting 4th fastest time of the day, in front of Loris Capirossi.
British-based Team Roberts, owned by former three-times 500cc World Champion Kenny Roberts, got their delivery of Honda RC211V engines for the 2006 series. The experienced race chassis builders will compete using the RC211V engine in their newly launched KR211V. The latest addition to the MotoGP entry list will be raced by Kenny Roberts Junior, like his father a former 500cc World Champ.
Valentino Rossi (2'02.14, 74 Laps)
It's always a little difficult to start again after the holidays, and I am never sure if I will be able to ride well straight away! Today however everything has felt good right from the start and I am already quite fast. The new M1 is a good bike, I like it and I can see that Yamaha has worked very hard over the winter. We had a few problems with it today; some chattering, but in reality it is good for this stage of the year. We still have a lot of work to do on it of course. The new bike is not so different from the 2005 bike, but still we have to understand completely its character and I have to get more confidence in it, then we can begin to make the modifications needed in order to improve it. Today has just been about understanding the bike, tomorrow we will concentrate more on tyres with Michelin.
MARCO MELANDRI ( 69 laps, 2’02”29 ):
I really looked forward to go back on my RC211V. This morning I lapped to recover the rhythm after the winter pause. Then I concentrated on the bike setting and finally I could make some tyre testing. I’m happy with the feeling of the bike and I like the bike. I’m quite confident.
Nicky Hayden 2m 02.23s. Laps completed: 85
Today was pretty solid. We tested some new parts and gathered some good data. Before we get to the first race at Jerez were just trying to chip away at developing the new bike. Im looking forward to it. Its great to get back here with the boys. Weve got a shovel and were going to do some work!
Dani Pedrosa 2m 02.46s. Laps completed: 65
Im happy with my times today because I didnt expect to go this fast. The track helped a little bit compared to November and there was a little more grip on the rear tyre. My first priority is to get used to the machine and find the best riding position at the moment. But I am tired for sure and I have to improve my physical condition. Its hard work for the muscles riding a MotoGP bike, which makes me breathe harder than normal. The problem is to get consistency. I can do a few good laps and get a good rhythm, but I must try to make bigger runs.
Unofficial lap times:
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha 2'02.14
2. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda 2'02.21
3. Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda 2'02.23
4. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda 2'02.46
5. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati 2'02.55
6. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 2'02.61
7. Sete Gibernau (SPA) Ducati 2'02.77
8. Casey Stoner (AUS) Honda 2'03'57
9. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki 2'03.77
10. Toni Elias (SPA) Honda 2'03.80
11. Randy de Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki 2'03.90
12. Alex Hoffman (GER) Ducati 2'04.63
13. James Ellison (GBR) Yamaha 2'06.40
14. Jose Luis Cardosa (SPA) Ducati 2'07.70
|
Back to MotoGP news home
|
|
|
