Sepang Test Times

RRWANTR · 02-11-2004, 11:02 AM

Go Colin!!!

Colin Edwards #45, second (2'02"693): “I really am extremely satisfied with my bike: it is a pleasure to ride it. Today though, I didn’t really give my best, because I was mainly concentrated on testing the 16.5 front tyre. My impression is very positive. One thing I would like everybody to know is that the real Colin is this one: last test in Sepang I wasn’t in shape at all, but when I am, I can assure great fun!”

1 Biaggi (Honda) 2m02.690
2 Edwards (Honda) 2m02.939
3 Rossi (Yamaha) 2m03.100
4 Gibernau (Honda) 2m03.121
5 Capirossi (Ducati) 2m03.883
6 Hayden (Honda) 2m03.915
7 Tamada (Honda) 2m04.072
8 Bayliss (Ducati) 2m04.208
9 Roberts (Suzuki) 2m04.452
10 Checa (Yamaha) 2m04.631
11 Akiysohi (Suzuki) 2m04.860
12 Nakano (Kawasaki) 2m04.906
13 Itoh (Honda) 2m5.015
14 Hofmann (Kawasaki) 2m05.506
15 Melandri (Yamaha) 2m05.803
16 McWilliams (Aprilia) 2m05.964
17 Barros (Honda) 2m05.980
18 Abe (Yamaha) 2m06.035
19 Lavilla (Suzuki) 2m06.418
20 Pitt (Moriwaki) 2m06.779
21 Hodgson (Ducati) 2m06.948
22 Xaus (Ducati) 2m07.024
23 Byrne (Aprilia) 2m07.103
24 Watanabe (Suzuki) 2m08.776

Crash · 02-11-2004, 11:17 AM

Can you believe that KRJR Crashed and is done with a shoulder injury?? Man Suzuki must be livid with this as well as Hoppers broken ankles....

Wasup with Nicky?? No comments from him yet....

deez · 02-11-2004, 11:21 AM

Wonder if the clutch is still giving Colin fits, maybe not

fl-929 · 02-11-2004, 11:22 AM

Biaggi is going to be real tough to beat this year.

Rossi - what can you say. Look at his teammates times compared to his.

RRWANTR · 02-11-2004, 11:30 AM

Gresini cominique:

(note: yesterday the NEW bikes arrived, not the full-new-evo of Repsol, but NEW!, may this is better as no one knows if the 'evo' is good)

Wednesday, 11 February 2004
FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE AT SEPANG
SETE AND COLIN: DEBUT AT THE TOP
SEPANG – During the first day of practice at the Sepang Circuit, Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda riders impressed for their superb results with the new RC 211V Honda bikes, setting the second and third best timings of the day. Definitely a fantastic debut, considering the fact the bikes are brand new and have just arrived from Japan yesterday afternoon. Of course, great satisfaction for everybody in the team captained by Fausto Gresini. More tests are scheduled for tomorrow and after tomorrow, in order to find the best solutions and set-ups before the start of the 2004 MotoGP season.

Colin Edwards #45, second (2'02"693): “I really am extremely satisfied with my bike: it is a pleasure to ride it. Today though, I didn’t really give my best, because I was mainly concentrated on testing the 16.5 front tyre. My impression is very positive. One thing I would like everybody to know is that the real Colin is this one: last test in Sepang I wasn’t in shape at all, but when I am, I can assure great fun!”

Sete Gibernau #15, third (2'03"00): “Me too I am very impressed with my bike’s performance: I immediately felt confident despite the few kilometres I rode. Today I mainly worked on the setting of my bike in order to adapt at best the 16.5 front tyre. The new bike worked better than last years’ with this tyre. I did good timings today, although I never really pushed hard, ‘cause I didn’t want to risk at all. I absolutely feel in great shape!”

Fausto Gresini, Team Manager: " Seeing my riders at the front is a great joy to me and seeing them satisfied, makes even happier. We are no doubt working in the right direction and in the best way possible. Our main objective now is to improve more and more at every test, in order to be in great shape and ready for the Championship”.

RRWANTR · 02-11-2004, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash

Wasup with Nicky?? No comments from him yet....

Repsol comunique

Repsol Honda in action at SepangRepsol Honda in action at Sepang
February 11th, 2004

In bright sunshine and 34 degree heat, the Repsol Honda Team fielded a
full team today (Wednesday) at the 5.548km Sepang circuit in Malaysia.
Alex Barros rode for the first time since the Valencia GP back in November
last year following surgery on an old shoulder injury over the winter
break. The 33-year-old Brazilian, back with Honda after a year with Yamaha
in 2003, reacquainted himself with the Honda RC211V he last rode at the
end of 2002.
Nicky Hayden, the reigning MotoGP Rookie of the year, got back into action
smoothly following the last test here last month.
The pair both rode the new 2004 spec Honda RC211V that sees a revised rear
swing arm with re-modeled suspension unit designed to give improved
stability and edge grip needed to cope with the extra power resulting from
winter engine development.
Nicky Hayden - Best lap 2m03.915 - “A pretty productive day really. We got
through what we wanted to test today – a lotta’ laps in this heat.
Engine-wise we’re basically the same as we were last month but
chassis-wise we’ve definitely had a couple of things to try.
"The rear end is takin’ some time to get used to – a lil’ bit different
feel. We’re sort of startin’ from zero – we need to find some base
settings and work out which way to go. It took a lil’ time to get sorted
and we’ve definitely made some progress in the right direction.
"Obviously I’d like the lap time to be better – more of the same tomorrow
but faster. Just gotta’ keep grindin’ away."
Alex Barros - Best lap 2m05.980 - “I was so excited about today I really
didn’t sleep much last night. The target is to be 100% ready for the first
race in April. At the moment I am still recovering from the shoulder
operation and am not fully fit. It was good today because I keep telling
myself not to go mad.
"There are many top Honda people here today and they tell me to take it
easy. Don’t panic! I haven’t ridden a machine for three months; I really
need to make a good ‘warm-up’.
"All the feelings I have on the bike with reference points are completely
different to last year. Even though I rode the RCV in 2002 I can make no
real comparison. The whole package seems to have increased. The power –
the grip – the turning. Everything is a little bit better.
"I have a great feeling about this season – I have ridden for Honda for
eight years – this is my ninth and this is the first time in the number
one team. I am working with many people I have known for a long time but
we have to build this new team to make a really strong package. It won’t
happen overnight but I am very confident we make a good foundation."

BDA116 · 02-11-2004, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRWANTR

Colin Edwards #45, second (2'02"693): “I really am extremely satisfied with my bike: it is a pleasure to ride it."

Uh, did Colin hire Terry McCauliffe as his PR guy or somethin'?
I'm glad he's up to speed, and look forward to him winning a few races this year, but what's up with the flip-flop?

Too bad about Jr. Looks like he and the 'Zook were making progress, and now poof. I bet Suzuki replaces at least Hopkins before the season is over.

Man, the real MotoGP is still two months away. At least we get to see the real Mr.Daytona take another in the mean time.

RRWANTR · 02-11-2004, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDA116

Uh, did Colin hire Terry McCauliffe as his PR guy or somethin'?
I'm glad he's up to speed, and look forward to him winning a few races this year, but what's up with the flip-flop?

, Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda riders impressed for their superb results with the new RC 211V Honda bikes

From what I read he received the 2003 Rossi specd bike for this test vs the 03 Sete bike at the last test.

phozed · 02-11-2004, 12:13 PM

good stuff - I'm really happy CE's on the pace! A full second on the kid? impressive - but it is still day 1

Have I said lately that this is shaping up to be one hell of a season?

Rios929 · 02-11-2004, 2:32 PM

rossi on the yamaha, two tenths of a second away from edwards....this is gonna be some good racing, why can't it be april yet?

WetShrub · 02-11-2004, 2:39 PM

Wonder if Hodgson and Xaus will be able to climb out of the cellar?

QuikMike · 02-11-2004, 2:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WetShrub

Wonder if Hodgson and Xaus will be able to climb out of the cellar?

I think they'll struggle for the first half of the season...sorta like what happened to Nicky last year...then, they'll improve each race for the latter half....why not throw them into the fray also of potential podium threats...that would only make for better racing in my opinion...

tigerblade · 02-11-2004, 3:35 PM

We should start a pool on the number of races Xaus bins it.

QuikMike · 02-11-2004, 3:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerblade

We should start a pool on the number of races Xaus bins it.

hmmm, let's see... there are 16 races( and assuming he's able to start all 16), my initial bet is 8!!!

tigerblade · 02-11-2004, 3:43 PM

BTW, Pics are up on Soup today.

deez · 02-12-2004, 11:35 AM

Edwards action shot from Crash.net

Day 2

1. Biaggi (Honda) 2'02"750
2. Edwards (Honda) 2'02"845
3. Gibernau (Honda) 2'02"850
4. Hayden (Honda) 2'02"855
5. Rossi (Yamaha) 2'03"001
6. Tamada (Honda) 2'03"490
7. Checa (Yamaha) 2'03"705
8. Capirossi (Ducati) 2'03"914
9. Akiyoshi (Suzuki) 2'03"943
10. Itoh (Honda) 2'04"083
11. Nakano (Kawasaki) 2'04"318
12. Hofmann (Kawasaki ) 2'04"568
13. Bayliss (Ducati) 2'04"568
14. Abe (Yamaha) 2'04"994
15. Melandri (Yamaha) 2'05"137
16. Lavilla (Suzuki) 2'05"290
17. Xaus (Ducati) 2'05"628
18. Hodgson (Ducati) 2'05"919
19. McWilliams (Aprilia) 2'05"934
20. Byrne (Aprilia) 2'06"300

BDA116 · 02-12-2004, 11:41 AM

That pic shows Colin is really getting down to business. Anyone else ever noticed how his neck sticks so far out like that when he is kickin' ass?

Looks like these guys are really getting their groove on. That time spread from first to fourth is pretty much nothing. I can't wait to hear Biaggi's excuses in another month.
It really is too bad that Jr. is gone. It seems as though he could have contended for the occasional top five, and pretty consistent top tens. Something the Suzuki didn't allow him to do for the last few years.

deez · 02-12-2004, 12:24 PM

Biaatchi and Rossi unhooked their transponders also today so they could run a 'simulated race'. The mind games are already beginning.

Crash · 02-12-2004, 1:00 PM

I think it's funny how Colin makes the bikes, look so tiny

Go Nicky!!!!!!!

RRWANTR · 02-12-2004, 1:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash

I think it's funny how Colin makes the bikes, look so tiny

!

Especially when he is pretty small

tigerblade · 02-12-2004, 2:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDA116

That pic shows Colin is really getting down to business. Anyone else ever noticed how his neck sticks so far out like that when he is kickin' ass?

LOL! I've noticed that too!

BDA116 · 02-13-2004, 10:38 AM

How did that no talent ass-clown from Kentucky ever get that GP ride anyway? It's not like he deserved it or anything.

Seeing American 1-2s a lot this season is gonna be great!

Nicky Hayden (Honda) – 2’02.041
Max Biaggi (Honda) – 2’02.108
Sete Gibernau (Honda) – 2’02.496
Colin Edwards (Honda) – 2’02.597
Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) – 2’02.746
Makoto Tamada (Honda) – 2’02.962
Carlos Checa (Yamaha) – 2’03.100
Loris Capirossi (Ducati) – 2’03.530
Troy Bayliss (Ducati) – 2’03.554
Alex Barros (Honda) – 2’03.558
Kousuke Akiyoshi (Suzuki) – 2’03.729
Shinichi Itoh (Honda) – 2’04.076
Shinya Nakano (Kawasaki) – 2’04.625
Neil Hodgson (Ducati) – 2’04.674
Marco Melandri (Yamaha) – 2’04.753
Gregorio Lavilla (Suzuki) – 2’05.756
Alex Hofmann (Kawasaki)– 2’04.817
Ruben Xaus (Ducati) – 2’04.929
Norick Abe (Yamaha) – 2’05.059
Shane Byrne (Aprilia) – 2’05.150
Jeremy McWilliams (Aprilia) – 2’06.574
Andrew Pitt (Moriwaki) – 2’06.912

HondaGalToo · 02-13-2004, 10:47 AM

Woohoo! Look at those times. I can't wait for the season to start, it's gonna be some great, exciting racing for sure!!

luvtolean · 02-13-2004, 12:14 PM

Man, Nicky got his head down!