From a press release:

Playstation2 – FGF Team – Press Information

Valencia 23/25 SBK International Test

Sunday 24 February 2002

HAGA AND APRILIA RSV FORGING AHEAD

On the second day of Superbike tests in Valencia (Spain), Noriyuki Haga knocks another half second off his performance of the previous day, when he had already broken the official track record, and inches even closer to the leader. The Playstation2-FGF Team programme is going ahead without the slightest hitch: taking advantage of the ideal weather conditions, Haga continued his apprenticeship in the saddle of the Aprilia RSV with which he will be making his World Championship debut in two weeks’ time here in Valencia. Today the Japanese rider concentrated on testing the set-up and calibration of the suspension. He made his fastest lap using race tyres. His Aprilia also proved to be the fastest bike, reaching a full 284 kmh at the end of the finishing straight. The tests in Spain will come to an end tomorrow.

GIACOMO GUIDOTTI(Technical Manager of the Playstation2-FGF Team) commented: “We’re very pleased with the way these tests are going. Haga just goes on improving and he’s already matching the principal candidates for the world title. We mustn’t forget he’s only been out three times on our bike. Tomorrow, in the last day of tests, we’ll be trying out some completely original set-up solutions to see if our work so far has reached its limit or not.”

“Another tough day of work testing the calibration of the suspension”, said Noriyuki Haga. “This is because I’m trying to find a set-up which doesn’t put too much stress on the tyres and makes us more efficient on medium distances. I’m also concentrating on getting a real feel for the bike. This is only my first time out and I’m really starting from scratch. You hardly ever have to brake hard, so it’s not that necessary to make the bike slide. This is a precious quality and I’ll be adapting my style to suit it. There’s no doubt about it: we’re competitive. This can be seen by the unofficial track record in the early afternoon which was later improved on by Bayliss.”