Tough return for Tech 3 Yamaha in Brno
After a well-deserved summer break, the Tech 3 Yamaha team
had a tough return to MotoGP action today, with Colin Edwards
and James Toseland seventh and 13th fastest respectively on
the opening day of free practice in Brno.
Under a layer of heavy cloud that greeted the paddock for
the start of round 12 of the 2008 series, Edwards and Toseland
got their first chance to evaluate the performance of an upgraded
Yamaha YZR-M1 engine. The pair were also able to assess new
tarmac at the Czech Republic venue in full dry conditions,
with rain forecast for tomorrow.
Edwards and Toseland both declared their delight with the
engine upgrade, which features an increased rev ceiling and
more horsepower, but other issues prevented them from taking
full advantage of the improvements made available by Yamaha.
Edwards ended the day fastest Michelin rider with a creditable
time of 1.58.672, confident with further front-end improvements
he can mount a challenge for the top six in Sunday's 22-lap
race.
Toseland managed to force his way into the top ten with 13
minutes remaining, but had to settle for 13th after a small
crash when he ran into the gravel at the downhill Kevin Schwantz
corner.
Colin Edwards 7th 1.58.672 - 37 laps
"The new engine is awesome although it feels a little
bit different than what I've been running. What I had was
obviously developed to the maximum and it was real smooth
and real linear with the power delivery. The new motor has
a bit of a different feel but it is faster. It's a little
bit peaky but its not hurting us at all so thanks to Yamaha
for rolling that over here to Tech 3. We got some electronics
stuff too so that is helping calm things down. It's just a
little bit more aggressive on the throttle, which the way
I'm having too ride this bike is actually good at the moment.
With some of the small issues I have got with the front tyre,
the only way I can ride is brake as hard as I can and almost
back it in like a Supermoto. And as soon as I get full lean
angle I just roll to maximum throttle opening because I can't
carry lots of momentum with 250 lines like I need to. I need
to get the rear to come round to steer the bike. The rear
tyre feels fantastic and I'm really happy with that. I did
15 laps on a rear without any problems and good and consistent
grip, but the front tyre that I normally use and that I love,
it is good but only for a short distance. I'll sit down with
my guys again tonight and talk things through with Michelin
to see if we can improve again tomorrow."
James Toseland 13th 1.59.328 - 41 laps
"It looks a little bit worse than it actually is because
we have moved in a good direction with the set-up. And the
new engine is fantastic, so a massive thanks to Yamaha for
giving the team and me this level of support. It just feels
stronger and you seem to be getting through the gearbox a
lot more progressively. And it keeps on pulling once you get
into fifth and sixth gear. You see the red gear change light
flash up a bit quicker than usual and up the hill you can
certainly feel the bike is still pulling and it is a big improvement.
We have just got a lot of hard work to do with Michelin. Now
the track is cleaning up a little we are getting more life
out of the tyre and the grip level is not so bad. But we can
still make it better and I am staying positive and trying
to work as hard as I can with Michelin. When I ran off I just
braked a bit too late down the hill. I thought I was going
to be able to stay on it but it high-sided me in the gravel.
It was only a small tip off but then the chain fell off so
I had to put that back on. I cleaned it all off and I went
quicker on the last two laps even with that. But with the
front tyre we are just trying to find a combination between
having out and out grip and the endurance. You can go as soft
as you want to find some grip but you have also got to finish
the 22-laps."
Circuit Length: 5403
2008 MotoGP Czech Republic - Brno 15/08/2008
Free Practice
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time
1 Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 1'57.231
2 Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 1'57.410
3 Loris Capirossi Suzuki ITA 1'58.000
4 Shinya Nakano Honda JPN 1'58.228
5 Alex De Angelis Honda SMR 1'58.264
6 Chris Vermeulen Suzuki AUS 1'58.462
7 Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 1'58.672
8 John Hopkins Kawasaki USA 1'58.830
9 Toni Elias Ducati ESP 1'58.881
10 Sylvain Guintoli Ducati FRA 1'58.923
11 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 1'58.977
12 Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 1'59.094
13 James Toseland Yamaha GBR 1'59.328
14 Randy De Puniet Honda FRA 1'59.405
15 Marco Melandri Ducati ITA 1'59.943
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