TROY SURVIVES THE BUMPS Troy completed two days of testing at the ‘new’ Miasno circuit and left with increased knowledge of his R1 Yamaha despite fighting with the bumps on the freshly laid tarmac. The Misano circuit has been turned around and now goes clockwise instead of anticlockwise and many of the corners have been changed or re-profiled, so is completely new to the WSBK competitors. Most riders at the tests did not like either the new layout or the bumps and found it very time-consuming learning the track, whilst trying to find ways to cope with all the bumps. When the series arrives at Misano in about a month’s time, conditions could be very different, but it is clear that Troy and the others who were at the tests will have a considerable advantage over thos who did not attend. TROY I think the tests were quite productive and we had a chance to test a few bits and pieces and some chassis modifications, that we’ve wanted to try recently. We also tried some different tyre/set-up combinations and that has allowed us to have a much better idea of how the bike behaves. The Yamaha is a sensitive bike to ride and that has been a part of our recent problem. Each time out, I feel I am learning more and more and really all I need is more time on the bike. It is quite a difficult bike to set up and hard to ride if you don’t get the set-up right. The bumps at Misano are dangerous and it seems that only a new thin layer of tarmac has been put down over the old surface. In some corners the bumps are so bad that they cause the bike to vibrate so much that I can’t see where I am going properly! And the bumps are not just in one or two places, but over most of the track! I have no idea why they changed the circuit round, because now the first part is a bit “Micky-mouse” and then you get the very fast back straight where you are flat out in fifth before approaching a slow right-hander. Also, in other parts of the track they have increased the tarmac run-off before you get to the gravel trap, but at the end of the straight, it’s just grass! I think that the bumps are so bad that they are going to have to do something about them. This Misano is a very technical circuit in some ways and even after the best part of two days, many riders were hardly going any quicker then after the first day. But, I am happy that we went to the tests because the riders who come here for the race and see the track for the first time will be at a huge disadvantage. See ya. Troy