Superbike World Championship Valencia (Spain) February 7 & 8, 2007 Team Yamaha-YZF First test for Nakatomi Shinichi Nakatomi successfully tested his new Yamaha YZF R1 in Spain on the Valencia circuit on February 7 and 8. It was the first time this year for the only 2007 rider of the Team Yamaha-YZF, formerly known as Team Yamaha Motor France-Ipone. The track was slippery, due to some Formula 1 tests the days before, but Shinichi Nakatomi could work on the set up of the 2007 Yamaha R1 with his best time in 1:37.2 despite a small crash. It was the first time the Japanese rider was testing since October 2006 and the occasion to develop this 100% new motorcycle. After completing many laps, it was time to stop on Thursday at 4 pm when the rain started. “We have done a lot of work to tune our new Kayaba suspensions,” explains team manager Martial Garcia. “This first test with the new R1 has been very positive. We know now in which direction to go to choose the best set up. We shall definitely be ready for the Qatar race.” 1st round of the Superbike World Championship: Saturday, February 24 at Losail (Qatar) Valencia stats Practice record (2003): 1:34.633 Neil Hodgson (Ducati) 152.360 kph 2006 Yamaha Motor France practice times: Nakatomi: 1:36.794 / 21st; Abe: 1:35.974 / 8th; Alfonsi: 1:39.117 / 33rd Race 1 results 2006: 1- Bayliss (Ducati), 2-Corser (Suzuki), 3-Lanzi (Ducati), 4-Abe (Yamaha), 5-Haga (Yamaha) 2006 Yamaha Motor France race 1 results: Nakatomi: 12th; Abe: 4th; Alfonsi: DNF Race 2 results 2006: 1- Bayliss (Ducati), 2-Corser (Suzuki), 3-Lanzi (Ducati), 4-Abe (Yamaha), 5-Haga (Yamaha) 2006 Yamaha Motor France race 2 results: Nakatomi: 12th; Abe: 4th; Alfonsi: DNF Lap record (best race time 2003): 1:35.007 Neil Hodgson (Ducati) 151.760 kph