Dag 1:
1. Marco Melandri, Honda, Bridgestone, 1:42.563
2. Casey Stoner, Ducati, Bridgestone, 1:42.634
3. Dani Pedrosa, Honda, Michelin, 1:42.706
4. Carlos Checa, Honda, Michelin, 1:43.206
5. Alex Barros, Ducati, Bridgestone, 1:43.214
6. Randy de Puniet, Kawasaki, Bridgestone, 1:43.315
7. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, Bridgestone, 1:43.475
8. Alex Hofmann, Ducati, Bridgestone, 1:43.673
9. Toni Elias, Honda, Bridgestone, 1:43.687
10. Shinya Nakano, Honda, Michelin, 1:43.817
11. Colin Edwards, Yamaha, Michelin, 1:43.845
12. Chris Vermuelen, Suzuki, Bridgestone, 1:44.052
13. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, Michelin, 1:44.494
14. Olivier Jacque, Kawasaki, Bridgestone, 1:44.659
15. Makoto Tamada, Yamaha, Dunlop, 1:45.081
16. Sylvain Guintoli, Yamaha, Dunlop, 1:45.208
17. Vittoriano Guareschi, Ducati, Bridgestone, 1:45.603
18. Shinichi Ito, Ducati, Bridgestone, 1:45.826
19. Nicky Hayden, Honda, Michelin, 1:45.901
20. Kenny Roberts, KR212V, Michelin, 1:45.937
21. Kousuke Akiyoshi, Suzuki, Bridgestone, 1:47.191
22. Jeremy McWilliams, Ilmor, Michelin, 1:47.696
23. Andrew Pitt, Ilmor, Michelin, 1:49.365
More, from a press release issued by Dorna Sports:
Melandri quickest on wet MotoGP Official Test opener at Jerez
Friday 23rd February
Jerez, Spain
MotoGP Official Test
With MotoGP’s two-stroke classes concluding their designated testing
days at Jerez yesterday, the premier MotoGP class today took to the
track for the first of three Official Test day sessions.
As has been the case throughout the week, meteorological conditions at
the Spanish circuit hampered any early outings for the teams. With the
track still wet from yesterday, and skies overcast, turns on track
were taken at a leisurely pace due to the inability to test either wet
or dry settings.
A downpour at around 12pm local time finally provided the grid with
fully wet conditions, and this prompted a buzz of activity in the
garages. First out were the test riders for Ducati and Suzuki, joined
shortly after by Kawasaki Racing regular Olivier Jacque. From then the
pace picked up, as the skies cleared slightly and the track slowly
dried.
Marco Melandri was the fastest rider of the day, heading the field for
the first time this preseason. He clocked a time of 1’42.563 on his
Honda RC212V, which was presented this morning as one of a series of
team photos.
Also on the pace was Ducati’s Casey Stoner, who was less than a tenth
of a second off the former 250cc World Champion’s hot lap. Both riders
were using Bridgestone tyres, having made the switch from Michelins at
the end of last season.
Home rider Dani Pedrosa was the only other MotoGP star to break the
1’43 barrier, continuing his recent run of good form. The Spaniard
rounded off the previous visit to Jerez, at the final test of 2006, as
the quickest rider at the Spanish circuit, and seems to be well
adapted to the new 800cc Honda.
Another local favourite, Carlos Checa also had an excellent day of
testing on the RC212V. The veteran managed 48 laps on day one, one of
the most active of the regular MotoGP riders.
Alex Barros and Randy de Puniet completed a top six comprising of as
many different teams, within a second of Melandri’s fastest time,
illustrating the competitive environment provided by the 800cc
machines.
On a good day for Bridgestone, Loris Capirossi, Alex Hofmann and Toni
Elias all added to the Japanese tyre manufacturer’s presence in the
top ten, which was rounded off by Shinya Nakano.
Both World Champion Nicky Hayden and last year’s runner up Valentino
Rossi were outside the fastest ten, with the former 19th quickest and
the latter 13th.
A number of teams were on track bright and early this morning, albeit
only for their 2007 team photograph sessions. Honda, Ducati and Suzuki
all posed for the cameras with their new bikes and uniforms. The
latter had already presented their new livery yesterday at an event
held in their team garage, whilst Kawasaki went slightly further
afield to the Royal Andalusian School Of Equestrian Art for their team
launch last night.
MotoGP action continues tomorrow and Sunday, as the riders prepare for
the season-opening race on March 10th in Qatar. The final day of
practice in Jerez plays host to the 40 minute “qualifying session”
where one member of the premier class grid will drive away with a
brand new BMW.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:
DUCATI MARLBORO MEN ON PACE IN WET & DRY
Ducati Marlboro Team riders Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi made the
best of changeable weather conditions at Jerez today, continuing
development work on the Desmosedici GP7. Both men ran up front in the
wet and the dry, Stoner second fastest overall, Capirossi a close
seventh quickest.
This morning's rain did at least allow the Australian and the Italian
to test the 800 for the first time in wet conditions. The circuit
started to dry this afternoon but damp patches and cool track
temperatures (a maximum of 24 degrees) prevented them from getting
close to lap-record pace. Nonetheless the team is happy that the GP7
seems to have improved since they tested here last November.
This three-day outing is the final test session before the 2007 MotoGP
World Championship commences in Qatar on March 10, so the team hopes
for good weather over the next two days.
Casey Stoner, 32 laps - 2nd fastest, 1m 42.634s
"We were competitive in the dry and the wet today but it wasn't really
a useful day for anybody because the weather was so on and off. We did
get some dry time at the end, though there was still some water
around, so we couldn't really get any good sense from anything and we
couldn't use proper tyres because the track was too cold and wet. When
it started drying out we worked on a problem I've had with the
rear-end pumping when I'm on the gas. We had it here last November and
we seemed to solve it in Phillip Island and Qatar, so if we get decent
weather over the next couple of days we should be able to get it
sorted out. I only got a few laps in the rain, so I was getting used
to the Bridgestone tyres because I've never ridden them in the wet.
I'm very, very happy with the front, it's similar to the dry, it gives
a very good feeling."
Loris Capirossi, 21 laps - 7th fastest, 1m 43.475s
"It's been a strange day with track conditions always changing. At
first we did some laps in the wet and the bike felt good with rain
settings. When the track improved I felt that the bike works a lot
better than it did last November, when we had a few problems. I'm
pretty happy because the GP7 worked well during tests at Sepang,
Phillip Island and Qatar, and if it works well here too that suggests
we can be competitive at all the races. I stopped a bit early today
because there was no point trying to go faster when the track isn't in
really good condition. Tomorrow I plan to do a long run, if conditions
are good enough."
Jerez Official Record : Valentino Rossi (Yamaha - 2005), 1'40.596
Jerez Pole Record : Loris Capirossi (Ducati - 2006), 1'39.064
Temperature: Air 19 ° C - Ground 22° C
More, from a press release issued by Ilmor:
Official MotoGP Test Jerez
Day One Circuito de Jerez de la Frontera 23.02.07
Despite being delayed by poor weather conditions during the first half
of today’s test, the team made reasonable progress this afternoon
continuing to build on the developments made last week at the Losail
Circuit in Qatar. It was an interesting day for Jeremy McWilliams as
he made his first return to the Spanish circuit in Jerez since his
spectacular crash in November however both Ilmor GP riders focussed on
the job in hand clocking up a total of 50 laps of the 4.42km track.
The team have a lot to do over the next 48 hours – the test this
weekend in Jerez is the final run out for McWilliams and Pitt before
March 10th sees Qatar play host to the MotoGP World Championship
opener – so everyone is hoping for drier weather in the coming days to
ensure as much track time as possible.
Jeremy McWilliams #99 Laps: 27 Fastest Lap: 1.47.696 Top Speed: 259.2
Andrew Pitt #88 Laps: 33 Fastest Lap: 1.49.365 Top Speed: 259.2
Jeremy McWilliams, Ilmor GP Rider: “The track condition today was
awful, it was really wet this morning and very patchy in places even
when it began to dry out which made for dangerous riding. It’s too
risky to really go flat out when the surface is so unpredictable. We
only really picked up some speed in the final hour or so today. Dry
weather would definitely help tomorrow.
“Even though I crashed here back at the test in November it feels good
to be back – in spite of the weather – I still have a little
difficulty getting on and off the bike but riding feels very natural.”
Andrew Pitt, Ilmor GP Rider: “It was an interesting day for me today.
I was trying out a new engine set-up so I would have loved to have a
dry track to test it properly however even in the poor conditions I
can tell that the changes have made the engine smoother and changed
the way the bike turns. It feels different, the throttle feels better
and I’m looking forward to really pushing it over the next couple of
days."
Mike Janes, Team Manager: “I think Jeremy did fantastically today
given his limited amount of time onboard the bike since his recovery.
With Andrew, the 2007 engine seems to be a positive step in the right
direction although we do have one or two issues to iron out. Both
riders have given us some great feedback today and we have plenty of
work to do over the remainder of the test. We have a long way to go
still and I’m hoping to get as much track time as possible with both
riders.”
More, from a press release issued by Suzuki Racing:
Weather ruins first day at Jerez
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP endured a frustrating first day at the Official
MotoGP Test in Spain, as heavy showers this morning meant that today’s
testing schedule was severely disrupted.
Chris Vermeulen managed to complete a number of wet laps in the
morning, but as the track dried out it was too dangerous for either
wet or dry tyres and he had to wait for the 4.4km Jerez track to dry
out. He managed to get back on track later in the afternoon and set
his quickest time during this session.
John Hopkins was present at the test and underwent further
physiotherapy as he recovers from the heavy crash he had in Qatar last
week. The Anglo-American racer will not participate at this test as he
sets his target on being fit for the first round of the MotoGP season
– also in Qatar – in two weeks time.
Kousuke Akiyoshi completed 55 laps today as he acquainted himself with
the Spanish circuit. Suzuki’s All-Japan Championship rider was
appearing at Jerez for the first time as he prepares himself for his
race debut here next month.
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP will have two further days of testing at Jerez,
culminating with a 40-minute all-action timed session on Sunday
afternoon where the rider with the quickest time will win a BMW car.
Chris Vermeulen:
“Yesterday there was a lot of rain here so we started today with a wet
track and although it looked like it would dry up more heavy showers
made sure that it didn’t. It was pretty good to start with as I was
able to get out and do some wet testing and we learnt quite a bit in
the wet with both chassis settings and engine mapping. Then the track
got too dry for wet testing and not dry enough to get some race tyres
on. We sat out and waited till later this afternoon when the track
dried out – which seemed to take ages – and some of the other guys
started to go a bit quicker. I didn’t feel like there was that much to
be learnt as the track was still wet in places. So I kept it upright
and just did a few laps to get the feel of the bike. Hopefully we’ll
have some good weather tomorrow so we can get a lot more done.”
--
-Michael
Div. Aprilia RS250 og Honda CBR600+VF500-dele m.m. til salg på:
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