From a press release issued by Team Yamaha Belgarda.

Date: Sunday 26th January 2003
Circuit: Ricardo Tormo, 4.005 kms, Day 1

VAN DEN GOORBERGH AND SANNA UP THE PACE
On the second day of the Yamaha Belgarda Supersport test at Valencia, Jurgen van den Goorbergh and Simone Sanna confirmed their potential by posting some superb lap times. In reasonable conditions (16° C degrees and cloudy) Jurgen completed 52 laps (with a best of 1:38.50) and Simone 40 (with a best of 1:39.30). The two riders are both new to Supersport, but are already almost as fast as top riders in the World Championship. The unofficial Valencia lap record is held by Fabien Foret (Honda) with a time in 1:37.674 – a time that Jurgen and Simone know they could beat in the final day of the tests tomorrow.

RAPID PACE
Simone Sanna is getting faster and faster. The 24-year old former 125 GP rider has already mastered the Yamaha YZF-R6, despite it being the first time on a 4-stroke and only the second day on a Supersport bike. Today he only used standard Pirelli tyres, as his main objective was to put in a lot of laps and gain experience on a Supersport bike. “I knew Sanna was a good rider, but I didn’t imagine that he would go so strongly on just the second day.” commented Sporting Director Massimo Meregalli. “What he succeeded in doing today was amazing. And van den Goorbergh is also going strongly. He is giving us vital feedback about the new YZF-R6 and we are quickly making up for the time we lost in the last couple of months – when we had all the problems with Casoli and Whitham’s misfortunes.”

SANNA
“I already feel in control of the Yamaha YZF-R6 even though I’m not on the limit. At this moment, I’m not interested in lap times – even though they were not bad today. I only want only to put in more laps and get as much experience as possible. I still have to get used to the engine braking, the new and different brakes and also the power delivery of the Yamaha, which is much greater then the 125 GP bike I am used to. I am reaching for the sky, but at the moment it is all coming fairly easily.”

VAN DEN GOORBERGH
“It’s been a very tiring day. I tried a lot of different tyres and also spent a lot of time working on the suspension. The team needed feedback and I think I helped them develop the bike and make good progress. I think Yamaha is happy with what I am doing, and I am happy working with the team. I think we can all be satisfied with the progress we have made here.”

Yamaha Belgarda Supersport has been able to organise this crucial test thanks to the collaboration of the Yamaha MotoGP team, who kindly granted availability and time at the circuit. Van den Goorbergh and Sanna’s final day of these tests will be on Monday 27th January.