Testing in Jerez ends.

World Champion Valentino Rossi completed three days of extensive testing on the RC211V four-stroke Honda machine at Jerez in Spain on Thursday. The 22 year old Italian was delighted with the tests and looks almost certain to ride the four-stroke five cylinder machine in the opening grand prix of next season.

"I'm very satisfied with the test because the bike has huge potential. Machine development has been positive and I'm looking forward to the next test," said Rossi.

The next test is scheduled just before Christmas at Phillip Island in Australia. Also testing the new machine at Jerez was Tohru Ukawa.

The MotoGP 250cc World Champion Daijiro Katoh put in some very impressive times at Jerez on only his second appearance on the NSR two-stroke machine he will ride in the MotoGP Championship next year. He was the fastest rider at the HRC test with a lap time of one minute 42.4s, which is well under Rossi's existing lap record.

Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh made his first appearance on the NSR Honda riding for Team Kanemoto Honda while Italian Roberto Rolfo had his first ride on the NSR 250 Honda. He was joined by his new team-mate Spaniard Emilio Alzamora.

MotoGP 125 World Champion Manuel Poggiali starts testing at Jerez today (Friday) together with Youichi Ui.