[Previous entry: "2004 Racing calendar"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Soll Pictures uploaded"]

01/27/2004 Archived Entry: "rossi lap times"

On the final day of his first factory test with Yamaha at Sepang ValentinoRossi lapped inside his own lap record and edged to within three tenths of asecond of his pole position record set at the 2003 Marlboro Malaysian GrandPrix. Rossi's best time of 2'02.75 was also unofficially the fastest lap ofthe circuit by any rider on the M1 machine, with Carlos Checa having set a2'02.885 to qualify second behind the Italian in October. Checa was secondquickest again today with a time of 2'03.72 and both riders are now lookingforward to returning to the same circuit for their next test in two weeks'time.

"We did some good work," said Rossi. "The time we made was good for a firsttest, but tyres and chassis settings were the main aim here. I've reallyenjoyed my first three days with Yamaha, I'm very happy. There's still workto do on the engine and we'll carry on with that, but overall things havebeen good."

Checa has used the test to evaluate front tyres and revealed that he was nowseriously considering the switch from a 17 inch to a 16.5. "The bike feelsbetter with the 16.5-inch front tyre," explained the Spaniard.