Byrne: Kenny understands what we need.

Former Aprilia rider Shane 'Shakey' Byrne improved on his best time from the 2004 Catalan Grand Prix by almost 1.5secs on his new Team KR-KTM, by the completion of the three-day official MotoGP test session at the Circuit de Catalunya.

The test was only Byrne's second outing, following an earlier shakedown trial at the Valencia circuit in Spain, and the Brit would complete 211 valuable laps - his best set during just seven laps of the Sunday morning free practice session on the third and final day. Minor teething problems would slow Byrne's progress in the 40 minute qualifying shoot-out.

Despite finishing 21st out of the 25 riders present - making him around 2secs per lap from the MotoGP top ten - Byrne was enthusiastic about the potential of the new project - which has the backing of Michelin tyres - and is eager to return to action at Jerez this Friday.

"It's been a really positive test, everyone from Team Roberts, KTM and Michelin have been very motivated and enthusiastic," declared the former British Superbike champion. "Kenny Roberts has been unbelievable. He goes out on the track and watches the bike and then comes back to the garage and understands what we need to do to improve.

"It's almost like riding an automatic, a twist and go bike, with such a smooth power delivery," he continued. "Maybe it's too smooth. For such a new project the KTM guys have done an excellent job but for me, and it's not a criticism, I would like to have a power delivery that makes the bike jump off the turns a little harder.

"If we can do that and keep the throttle connection and smoothness it will be even better," he explained. "On the chassis set-up I'm looking for a better feeling from the front end. I know everyone is looking forward to Jerez test to build on the work that was done here in Barcelona."

The team now moves on to Jerez in southern Spain for the final pre-season test session (March 25-27) in advance of the opening race of the season on April 10.

Barcelona test times - Overall best:

1.Sete Gibernau SPA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 41.851 secs
2.Max Biaggi ITA Repsol Honda 1min 42.260 secs
3.Valentino RossiITA Gauloises Yamaha 1min 42.27 secs
4.Alex Barros BRA Camel Honda 1min 42.506 secs
5.Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda 1min 42.507 secs
6.Marco MelandriITA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 42.797 secs
7.Makoto TamadaJPN Konica Minolta Honda 1min 42.823 secs
8.John Hopkins USA Team Suzuki 1min 43.117 secs
9.Colin Edwards USA Gauloises Yamaha 1min 43.129 secs
10.Loris CapirossiITA Ducati Marlboro 1min 43.531 secs
11.Kenny RobertsUSA Team Suzuki 1min 43.563 secs
12.Shinya NakanoJPN Fuchs Kawasaki1min 43.661 secs
13.Alex HofmannGER Fuchs Kawasaki1min 43.709 secs
14.Shinichi Itoh JPN Ducati-Bridgestone 1min 43.736 secs
15.Troy Bayliss AUS Camel Honda 1min 43.775 secs
16.Carlos Checa SPA Ducati Marlboro 1min 43.882 secs
17.Toni Elias SPA Fortuna Yamaha 1min 44.343 secs
18.Ruben Xaus SPA Fortuna Yamaha 1min 44.712 secs
19. Roberto Rolfo ITA D'Antin Ducati 1min 45.196 secs
20.Vittoriano Guareschi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1min 45.41 secs
21.Shane ByrneGBR Team KR-KTM1min 45.68 secs
22.Nobuatsu AokiJPN Team Suzuki 1min 45.727 secs
23.James EllisonGBR Blata WCM1min 46.705 secs
24.Franco BattainiITA Blata WCM1min 47.678 secs
25.Shimizu KazukiJPN Fuchs Kawasaki1min 51.822 secs

Comparative lap times:

Catalan Grand Prix - 13/6/2004:

Pole position: Sete Gibernau SPA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 42.596secs

Fastest laps: Honda: Sete Gibernau SPA Camel Honda 1min 44.641secsYamaha: Marco Melandri ITA Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 1min 44.708secs Ducati: Ruben Xaus SPA D'Antin Ducati 1min 45.119secsSuzuki: Kenny Roberts USA Team Suzuki 1min 45.477secsKawasaki: Shinya Nakano JPN Fuchs Kawasaki 1min 45.532secsAprilia: Shane Byrne GBR MS Aprilia 1min 47.038secsProton KR: Nobuatsu Aoki JPN Proton Team KR 1min 47.739secs