Tady returns as HRC test rider.

Tadayuki Okada, Japan's most successful premier-class grand prix rider, returned to the saddle at Sepang today in his new role as HRC test rider.

Okada scored four 500cc victories - from 21 podium finishes - during a premier-class career that lasted from 1996 to 2000. The former Repsol Honda rider's best season, in terms of wins, came in 1999 when he scored three victories - but his best championship position was in 1997, when he finished runner-up to Mick Doohan.

Okada was back with his former race team today (pictured) as he took over RCV development from compatriot Tohru Ukawa. Tady performed initial testing of a new version of the RC211V, which Nicky Hayden will test tomorrow, and was pleased with the progress made.

"Basically I am here to help the team with the transition from the 2005 RC211V to the eventual 2006 machine the team will race," explained Okada, who completed 72 laps with a best of 2mins 5.89secs - making him 19th fastest out of the 20 riders and 4.23secs from fastest man Marco Melandri.

"We are working hard, not just on the settings but also on machine balance and I have to say that so far the machine I tested today is much better than the '05 bike I tried. Usually when you find several positive points with a newly developed bike you also find negative points but today everything has been positive.

"Nicky (Hayden) will test the bike tomorrow then we will sit down and discuss which is the best direction to take with in future testing," he added.

39-year-old Okada, who spent his entire grand prix career with Honda, has been advising rising Honda star Ryuichi Kiyonari in BSB in recent seasons.