Checa finds 'interesting solutions', Itoh improves
While his ill team-mate Loris Capirossi was forced to halt testing after only ten laps today, Ducati Marlboro's Carlos Checa fortunately had no such worries and, after completing back-to-back testing with both GP5 machines at his disposal, focussed on getting the best out of some new rear tyre compounds.
The tyres proved to offer considerable duration, and enabled the Spanish rider to lap constantly in the low 2min 2secs bracket. Checa ended the day after a total of 52 laps, the best being a 2min 1.891secs - 0.7secs quicker than his Friday time.
While his ill team-mate Loris Capirossi was forced to halt testing after only ten laps today, Ducati Marlboro's Carlos Checa fortunately had no such worries and, after completing back-to-back testing with both GP5 machines at his disposal, focussed on getting the best out of some new rear tyre compounds.
The tyres proved to offer considerable duration, and enabled the Spanish rider to lap constantly in the low 2min 2secs bracket. Checa ended the day after a total of 52 laps, the best being a 2min 1.891secs - 0.7secs quicker than his Friday time.
"We did a good job today," commented Carlos. "We concentrated on tyre duration and found several interesting solutions. Hopefully we can continue to work in the same way tomorrow."
Meanwhile, the newly formed Ducati-Bridgestone Tyre Test Team concluded its third day of testing at the Malaysian circuit with an impressive time of 2min 2.551secs recorded by tester Shinichi Itoh, who completed 56 laps. His best time was no less than 1.749secs inside his Friday best.
The Japanese rider tested several new generation tyres, which will be given to the Ducati Marlboro Team riders tomorrow.
Testing concludes tomorrow...
Sepang II test times - Saturday:
1. Max Biaggi ITA Repsol Honda 2min 1.501secs
2. Sete Gibernau SPA Telefonica Movistar Honda 2min 1.686secs
3. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda 2min 1.717secs
4. Alex Barros BRA Camel Honda 2min 1.786secs
5. Makoto Tamada JPN Konica Minolta Honda 2min 1.83secs
6. Carlos Checa SPA Ducati Marlboro 2min 1.891secs
7. Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 2min 2.291secs
8. Marco Melandri ITA Telefonica Movistar Honda 2min 2.429secs
9. Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Gauloises 2min 2.378secs
10. Shinichi Itoh JPN Ducati Bridgestone TTT 2min 2.551secs
11. Toni Elias SPA Fortuna Yamaha Tech 3 2min 3.60secs
12. Troy Bayliss AUS Camel Honda 2min 3.75secsOther riders also present, but no times released
Comparative lap times:
Malaysian Grand Prix - 10/10/2004:
Pole position: Valentino Rossi ITA Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 2min 1.833secs
Fastest laps: Yamaha: Valentino Rossi ITA Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 2min 3.253secs Honda: Max Biaggi ITA Camel Honda 2min 3.281secsDucati: Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 2min 4.048secsKawasaki: Shinya Nakano JPN Fuchs Kawasaki 2mins 4.264secsSuzuki: John Hopkins USA Team Suzuki 2min 4.879secs
Previous pre-season testing:
(25/01/2005) Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 2min 0.54secs
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
