MotoGP track action concludes ahead of winter testing ban Three days of tests for a host of MotoGP World Championship teams concluded on opposite sides of the globe today, bringing to an end all track action for 2005 ahead of the traditional winter testing ban, which runs from December 1st to January 20th 2006 inclusive. Representatives from Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki were at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia whilst back in Europe the factory Ducati outfit were put through their paces at the Jerez circuit in Spain. MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi was the fastest rider over the three days at Sepang as Yamaha rolled out their 2006 version YZR-M1 machine for the first time. The Italian clocked an unofficial best time of 2’02.61 on the second day of the test, some three tenths of a second inside the current official lap record of 2’02.993 held by Nicky Hayden, before a spell of morning rain prevented any hope of improvements on the final day. “The test was not so bad, especially yesterday we did a good job,” commented Rossi. “We worked a lot on the new M1 and the first impression is not bad. The bike is already fast, I was able to do some good lap times but it is the first prototype so we need to work to improve it. Already it is a little more powerful, a little more stable and we hope it will be more easy to set up.” A handful of new challengers to Rossi’s MotoGP dominance got their first true taste of life alongside the Italian in Malaysia, with 250cc World Champion Dani Pedrosa and his former quarter-litre rival Casey Stoner racking up the laps aboard Honda RC211V machines and ex-World Superbike star Chris Vermeulen getting to grips with his new Suzuki GSV-R. Frenchman Randy de Puniet, another rider to have taken part in 250 this year, also completed his first full test on board the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR, whilst Briton James Ellison took hold of the Tech3 team’s Yamaha M1 in a test on Dunlop tyres. “We’ve made big steps forward in terms of getting to know the bike,” said Pedrosa, who set the quickest time on the final day with 2’02.77 despite the damp track conditions in the morning. “It has basically been a tough three days for me because I’ve never done three days of continuous testing before and never on such a demanding bike! I’m physically drained but we’ve found a few positive things out about the machine, especially today, and the important thing is we keep making positive steps forward.” Pedrosa’s compatriot Sete Gibernau knows precisely what is required to beat Rossi and the experienced Spaniard worked with that goal in mind as he completed his second test with Ducati at Jerez. Gibernau switched from Honda at the end of the 2005 season and is already feeling at home with the Italian team, despite also having switched from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres. “It was useful to get to know exactly what I need to find the right feeling with the new bike,” said Gibernau. “We made progress and managed to find a path that seemed right. 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.” A handful of 250cc riders also lapped at Jerez, most notably with Sebastián Porto making his return to Honda where he tested along with factory colleague Andrea Dovizioso. Preseason testing for the 2006 MotoGP World Championship will continue for the majority of teams at Sepang on January 23rd. More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: 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. Ducati Marlboro Team testing calendar: January 23/24/25 – Sepang (Malaysia) January 30, February 1/2 – Phillip Island (Australia) February 14/15/16 – Sepang (Malesia) Temperatures: air 14° – 16° C, track 14° – 22° C More, from a press release issued by Suzuki Racing: 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.” More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing: MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005 KAWASAKI RACING TEAM PRESS OFFICE 30 NOVEMBER 2005 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.”