Road Race
Phillip Island IRTA Test
(Above) The first of the officiallRTA Grand Prix test sessions was held at Phillip Island in Australia during the
last week of January. Naturally, five-time World Champion Mick Doohan didn't take long to prove that he's
still the man to beat for the 1999 500cc World Championship. Doohan circulated well under the lap record on
the newly resurfaced race track and packed it in a day earlier than the rest, satisfied with what he and his
Respol Honda team had accomplished.
(Right) Kenny
Roberts Jr. was
impressive on the
Suzuki RGV500.
The former
Modenas factory
rider was in the
hunt the entire
test, finally ending
up fifth but still on
the same second
as Daohan.
o
20
(Above) same look, new bike: It didn't take long for Max Biaggi to get up to speed on the
new Yamaha. The four-time 250cc World Champion ended the test with the ~ond
quickest time, behind his rival Doohan.
•
(Left) The
Old Man and
the Sea:
Kenny
Roberts Sr.
took the
opportunity
to give his
Moclenas
KR-3 a run at
Phillip
Island. The
three-time
500cc World
Champion
was fast,
lapping only
eight
seconds off
Doohan's
pace on the
oceanfront
circuit.
