Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128363
Capirossi on Top in First Test he first MotoGP test of the new year got started at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia with most of the top men hard at work in the opening two days of the test. T Only one of those riders, however, was able to crack the 2:02 barrier, and that man was Marlboro Ducati's Loris Capirossi, the Italian and his Bridgestone tires lapping at 2:01.98 on Monday, January 24. While Capirossi was charging at Sepang, his new teammate Carlos Checa was inac- tive on the second day of the test, the Spaniard suffering from the flu. "It's a real pleasure to be able to work in this way - a great satisfaction and an impor- "I am quite happy with the work we've done today," Rossi said after the second day of testing. "We worked on suspension and setup, and the bike gave us some good data and a good feeling. Yesterday, we went the wrong way with some things, but today we've made some modifications and we've found the right way forward. We've worked mainly on making the bike more agile, trying to make it more like the 2004 bike in this area, and we had a really good run of improvements this morning." A tired Edwards was working on gaining confidence in the M I after his season on the Honda RC21 IV. tant boost," Capirossi said in a team press release. "We got through a lot of work and probably do a race simulation hopefully and make some more improvements... Biaggi, back from a broken leg, was shOWing no effects of the injUry, the Italian putting in a lot of laps on the Repsol Honda. "There must be a mistake," Biaggi said after seeing the lap times. "I was not expecting to ride this fast right after the injUry and more on the last year's bike. We scored tested several different setups, and were excellent laps even if we were not working able to confirm that the chassis is performing well. We also made another step forward with the Bridgestone tires - in partic- for it. I really like the team spirit. HRC people are very motivated to do good. Erv Kanemoto and my crew chief Hideki Iwano ular with the front, which is perfect. Now are collecting precious information for the we have to concentrate on the rear tire in order to be competitive over race distance. new bike, and I'm so happy to have two perfectionists like them on my side. Furthermore, Repsol orange really makes Tomorrow will be another day of hard work, but for the moment, I'm really satisfied with everything. A big thanks to every- me want to ride." Valentino Rossi tries to keep cool. Gauloises Yamaha's Valentino Rossi was the second-quickest rider after two days of the test, the Italian lapping at 2:02. 16 after putting in 55 laps on the new MI in extremely hot conditions. Camel Honda's Alex Barros was third quickest with his 2:02.30 - followed by Repsol Honda's Max Biaggi (2:02.35) and Suzuki's Kenny Roberts Jr. (2:02.38). Rossi's Yamaha teammate Colin Edwards completed 62 laps and was sixth fastest with a time of 2:02.48. Blaggi', teammate Nicky Hayden lapped "We sorted out our first-day teething problems, and I'm feeling much happier about everything," Edwards said. "I'm so tired tonight, but we knew we'd have to work hard. Overnight, we had some ideas and they seem to have worked; now it feels like we're going in the right direction. The most important thing is confidence in the front of the bike, and I had more today. Overall now, it doesn't feel so different from the old bike, and the whole package is good. Tomorrow, we'll play around some more, Haga Gets Started Japan's Norikuki Haga made his 2005 Yamaha debut during World Superbike testing at Phillip Island in Australia on January 23, last year's third-place finisher in the World Superbike Championship renewing his relationship with Yamaha and getting to know his new RI. Haga's teammate, Andrew Pitt, was also at the test. After easing into the test on the opening day, Haga made big strides on day two, clocking 85 laps on his R I with a best lap of 1:35.7, according to Yamaha. Joining Haga and Pitt on the circuit were Yamaha Motor Germany's World Supersport riders Kevin Curtain and Broc Parkes. Curtain's second day at the track was cut short after a crash in the morning, the 38-year-old injuring his left shoulder and right foot after highsiding his R6 on the exit of the penultimate corner. A precaution- ary visit to hospital for X-rays 10 FEBRUARY 2, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS at a best of 2:02.249 after 81 laps. "Not a bad day," Hayden said. "We spent a lot of time testing a bunch of new Michelins and found some stuff we really liked, both fronts and a few rears that really seemed to give some pretty good grip levels. We looked at testing several different suspension settings with the Showa guys, and basically, it all went pretty well. It one in Ducati Corse; they've done an excellent job." Loris Capirossi was the fastest of the MotoGP men during testing at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. Kenny Roberts Jr. talks with his new team manager, Paul Denning. was nice to see some lower laps times today - not yet where I want, but definitely a step in the right direction." Suzuki's Kenny Roberts Jr. was satisfied with his first test on the new bike. "It was great to be back out on my GSVR again, but to be honest, this one has a completely different performance potential," Roberts said. "The guys have certainly made some changes, and I believe we are on the way to being a force to be reckoned with this season. Sure there is still a lot to do - and everyone knows it - but for me, this is the best start to a season for several years." revealed a crack in his collarbone, although the Australian was hopeful of resuming the test on the third day. "We made some big improvements today," Pitt said after two of three days of testing. "We concentrated on the 2005 bike today, and the work on the mapping has definitely improved the pickup out of the corners. We tried a lot of changes to the suspension: Some worked, and AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Montclair Yamaha in Montclair, California, on February 3, from 6 to 7 p.m. Team Yamaha's Chad Reed, David Vuillemin, Tim Ferry, factory-supported rider Heath Voss, and Yamaha of Troy riders Brett Metcalfe and Danny Smith are scheduled to appear. For more information, call 909/628-4748. some didn't. There are still AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Fun Bike Center in San Diego, California, on February 18, from 7 to 8 p.m. Team Kawasaki's Michael Byrne, Ivan Tedesco and Paul improvements to be made, Carpenter are scheduled to appear. For more informa- especially at the front, but generally we're doing okay." Haga wasn't overly pleased at his progress. "I am still a little bit behind where I would like to be," Haga said. "We still have tion, call 858/278-6635. some work to do with the suspension and ride height, but we know the changes we have to make." Noriyuki Haga gets used to the RIot Phillip Island. OPENED: Team Makita Suzuki's Broc Hepler's home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: www.brochepler.com. The website will keep fans up to date on Hepler's race results, events, scheduled appearances and more. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At I-Moto in Livermore, California, January 27, from 7 to 8 p.m. Team MDK Motorsports' Nick Weyand Eric McCrummen, and Danny "Magoo" Chandler, are scheduled to attend. There will also be a charity raffle, food and DJ. For more information, call 925/371-6686.