SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI TEAM CONCLUDED POSITIVILY THE FIRST
PART OF THE WINTER TESTS BEFORE THE START OF THE 2008 CHAMPIONSHIP
This week's three day test on the Malaysian racetrack in
Sepang concluded yesterday, 7th February, for both San Carlo
Honda Gresini Team's riders. During the third and last day
of test, Japanese Shinya Nakano and San Marino's Alex De Angelis
have continued their work in the same direction as the previous
days. Both are pleased with the bike's performance during
race simulation but are trying different set-ups in order
to improve lap timings with Bridgestone qualifiers. Further
improvements are expected next week in Jerez de La Frontera,
where the traditional IRTA tests will take place starting
from February 16th.
Fausto Gresini - Team Manager
"I believe these winter tests have produced some very
positive results in preview of the 2008 Championship. Both
our riders have been testing for a very long period, they
have covered more than 3000km in the last couple of weeks
and they are physically very tired, but this great effort
was necessary in order to start the season in the best shape.
On the last day of this week's second 2008 Malaysian test,
both Alex and Shinya have worked hard on qualifying tyres:
we still have to improve a lot in this respect, but I am not
worried at all. Starting form Jerez, during next week's IRTA
test, Bridgestone will provide us with new tyres, both race
type and qualifiers, and I think this will represent a step
forward for my team's performance. As for the race pace, both
my riders have obtained interesting results, although the
bike's engine was still the 2007 version. In Jerez, Honda
will provide us with the new engine 2008 version and for sure
we will be even more competitive."
Sepang - 7th February, best lap times:
1. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha-Fiat) 2.00.705 (73 laps)
2. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha-Fiat) 2.01.190 (48)
3. Shinya Nakano (Honda-Gresini) 2.02.135 (23)
4. Alex De Angelis (Honda-Gresini) 2.02.193 (20)
5. Olivier Jacque (Kawasaki) 2.03.021 (50)
6. Tamaki Serizawa (Kawasaki) 2.03.623 (31)
7. Yamaha Test Team P 2.06.000 (27)
8. Yamaha Test Team T 2.06.040 (44)
Records:
Pole: Pedrosa (2007, Honda) 2.01.877
Fastest Lap: Stoner (2007, Ducati) 2.02.108
Record: Stoner (2007, Ducati) 2.02.108
Best Lap: Rossi (2006, Yamaha) 2.00.605
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