From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DOUBLE RECORD PACE FOR DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM IN VALENCIA TESTING

Valencia (Spain), 30 November 2004 – The Ducati Marlboro Team has concluded its 2004 testing schedule in the best possible way at Valencia, Spain. Thanks to superb performances by its two riders, the Italian team went quicker than the 2004 pole mark set by Tamada (1:32.81) and Biaggi’s fastest lap (1:33.58) recorded just over one month ago in the final GP of the season.

After yesterday’s rain, perfect conditions today allowed Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa to put in a full day’s work and conclude the final tests of the year with interesting times.

The Italian was particularly quick on Bridgestone qualifying tyres and set an excellent 1:32.67 in his 62 laps.

Loris Capirossi, on the evolution version of the Desmosedici GP4 with changes to the frame and the new swing-arm, tested a variety of suspension and chassis set-ups. The Italian said that he was pleased with the results obtained and motivated by the changes made to the bike and the new Bridgestone tyres.

“I am really satisfied with what we have been able to achieve on the one day that the track was dry, but I wasn’t sorry that I got a chance to test the Bridgestone wets yesterday, which proved to be extremely valid tyres” commented Capirossi. “I’m pleased with the way things are going and the working method we are using. Today we did a lot of laps and tried a number of changes, obtaining some good times. It’s as if we are about to start 2005 and I’m feeling confident already.”

Carlos Checa, with a total of 65 laps on the prototype Desmosedici GP5, was the quickest rider on the track with race tyres, setting a time of 1:33.09. The Spanish rider, who preferred to focus on race set-up and not use qualifying tyres, has adapted quickly to the numerous changes he has encountered after signing for the Ducati Marlboro Team – bike, team and tyres – and has clearly demonstrated his motivation and professionalism.

Régis Laconi’s period as Ducati Desmosedici development team test rider came to a positive end with a best time of 1:35.78. Régis’s total of 44 laps also included a crash, which luckily finished without any serious consequences. The Frenchman, who focussed on electronics and engine mapping work on the Italian V4 machine, has offered valid support in the development of the bike that will race in next year’s MotoGP World Championship: a big thanks to him from Ducati Corse for the professional and positive attitude demonstrated in these tests.

The Ducati Marlboro Team’s next testing session is scheduled for January 22-24, 2005 at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia.



More, from a press release issued by Team Telefonica Movistar Honda:

EXCELLENT JOB AT VALENCIA FOR THE TEAM TELEFONICA MOVISTAR HONDA

Valencia, 30th November 2004

After the heavy rain of yesterday that spoiled the first day of testing at Valencia, today the team Telefonica MoviStar Honda could enjoy one complete day of testing thanks to better weather conditions. The track, wet in the morning, started to dry in the central part of the day so that Sete Gibernau and Marco Melandri could lap a lot to carry on the program of work started last week in Jerez. The Spaniard Sete Gibernau made 85 laps whereas his teammate Marco Melandri completed 101 laps, for him only one small inconvenience as he entered too long in a curve going through the gravel bed.

SETE GIBERNAU, 85 laps, 1:33.4
“Today the weather was good so we worked hard continuing the work started in Jerez. I needed dry conditions to lap at a good pace in order to better understand all the material that we had to test yesterday and today with the purpose of creating the best package of what we have. I’m satisfied of the work of today, it’s a hard work but absolutely necessary in this time of the year.”

MARCO MELANDRI
“I’m very satisfied of the work done today. We lapped a lot and lap by lap my feeling with the bike improved. We have worked on the setting of the bike and tested different solutions to have more traction. I think we have done an important step forward compared to the last test session at Jerez. Here I had much more data and points of reference compared to Jerez because we raced in Valencia one month ago so we could work better. I’m very happy of the pace I had today with race tyres , in fact I had never done this time even with qualifying tyres during the last weekend of GP here in Valencia.”

LAP TIMES
1. Loris Capirossi (Ita/Ducati) 1:32.7
2. Carlos Checa (Sp/Ducati) 1:33.0
3. Alex Barros (Brs/Honda) 1:32.3
4. Sete Gibernau (Sp/Honda) 1:33.4
5. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) 1:33.4
6. Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) 1:33.5
7. Troy Bayliss(Austr/Honda) 1:34.5



More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

Honda teams complete successful two-day test at Valencia

Honda MotoGP teams wrapped up their 2004 testing programme with a two-day test at the 4.005km Ricardo Tormo Circuit at Valencia, Spain. The heavy rain that fell on Monday washed away the series of test planned for the day restricting the riders to rain tyre testing and alternative engine mapping to cope with the conditions.

Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda) put in just 26-laps yesterday. The American trying various engine settings in search of a smoother power delivery from his RC211V 990cc Honda around the twisty demanding circuit.

The Telefonica MoviStar Honda riders elected to sit out the day. Wet weather specialist Sete Gibernau confident he had nothing to learn while his new tem mate, Marco Melandri felt he lacked the necessary experience on the RCV to conduct meaningful testing in wet conditions.

Makoto Tamada was not too unhappy with the conditions. The Konica Minolta Honda rider made the most of the wet track testing Michelin rain tyres for the first time, gaining invaluable experience as he continues his adjustment to the performance of the tyres he will use in 2005.

The final day of testing was held in bright but chilly weather. Track conditions were not optimal early on damp patches dotting the circuit. But having lost almost a complete day to the weather yesterday the riders wasted no time in getting to work.

Nicky Hayden put in a solid 70 laps today to complete his test programme. The young American more than happy with the rapport he has established with his new technical crew during the five days they have worked together.

Telefonica MoviStar riders Sete Gibernau and Marco Melandri were particularly busy, Gibernau working hard assessing the remaining untried parts in the time available to the team. Melandri put in another marathon 101 lap day, improving as the day went on. The Italian ending the test with a lap time to equal the best of team mate Gibernau.

Makoto Tamada had high hopes for the day but managed no more than 20 laps failing to establish a good feel for the cool track surface.

Honda rider lap times and quotes.

Nicky Hayden: 1:33.7 – 70 laps.
“Generally it was a good few days of testing we had in Jerez and Valencia. It was really good to be working with the new team and everyone seems to be gelling real well. We’re got a pretty good base setting and I’m pleased to go into the winter break with a positive feeling. It took a while today for the track to dry out and there were a lot of guys jumping off everywhere; we just took our time and had a solid day. I’m off the Japan for some PR work than back home next week for a little rest but I know it won’t be long till I’m really wanting next year to come and to get back on the bike.”

Sete Gibernau: 1:22.4 – 85 laps.
“Today the weather was good so we worked hard continuing the work started in Jerez. I needed dry conditions to lap at a good pace in order to better understand all the material that we had to test yesterday and today with the purpose of creating the best package of what we have. I’m satisfied of the work of today, it’s a hard work but absolutely necessary in this time of the year.”

Marco Melandri: 1:33.4 – 101 laps.
“I’m very satisfied of the work done today. We lapped a lot and lap by lap my feeling with the bike improved. We have worked on the setting of the bike and tested different solutions to have more traction. I think we have done an important step forward compared to the last test session at Jerez. Here I had much more data and points of reference compared to Jerez because we raced in Valencia one month ago so we could work better. I’m very happy of the pace I had today with race tyres, in fact I had never done this time even with qualifying tyres during the last weekend of GP here in Valencia.”

Makoto Tamada: 1:34.00 – 20 laps.
“After the heavy rain we had yesterday I didn’t get a good feeling from the track today and I went straight on at one corner so I decided to stop there was no meaning to testing. I only did 20 laps today.”