The opening chapter in the 2008 MotoGP campaign for the Yamaha Tech3 team was brought to a close with the third and final day of testing at a sweltering Sepang circuit in Malaysia this afternoon. After clocking the second best effort yesterday there was further good news for Colin Edwards and the French crew as the American rested fourth in the Day 3 standings with a circulation just eight tenths of a second off the top slot. New team-mate James Toseland was eighth and upbeat after just his third run with the YZR-M1.
Colin Edwards racked up 34 laps in pursuit of his quickest time of the three day session, which he managed on his 12th attempt and snipped two tenths of a second away from Wednesday’s impressive feat. The 33 year old was buoyed after the technical crew solved a small matter of chatter with the front end of the motorcycle and he maintained a steady presence in the 2:01 bracket with Michelin race tyres; underneath the fastest lap setting of the 2007 Grand Prix at Sepang. Herve Poncharal had reason to feel content with the results and progress of his rider line-up as well as the overall usefulness of the test.
Colin Edwards – Position: 4th: 2:01.179, 34 laps
“We got a little bit of a late start today; man I was sore! I am getting old! After six weeks off the bike your hands and butt gets soft and it takes time to build up the calluses. After three days of riding I just have blisters at the moment. We made some improvements again today with the M1. My crew chief and suspension technician had an idea for the front end because we were having some chatter. It was something I had never tried before, but they fixed the problem. It was such a simple thing but they did really well, so a big thanks! We did not do anything new today but played around with tyres. Michelin came up with the goods. I did my best times on the new race tyre and it was phenomenal. Onto Phillip Island now and more of the same I hope.”
After speeding up through both previous days of action James Toseland hit his stride throughout a stuffy afternoon run. The 27 year old concentrated on familiarising himself with new electronic and traction control systems but still managed a batch of laps in the ’01 and low ‘02s. Toseland is Britain’s sole representative in the ’08 MotoGP championship and comes into the Tech3 set-up hot from winning eight from twenty-six races and grabbing thirteen podiums on the way to a second World Superbike title.
James Toseland – Position: 8th: 2:01.745, 45 laps“In November I managed a 2:03.5 lap; just one. So to do a 2:02 on a race tyre and then an ’01 with a qualifier let me finish eighth overall today, which I quite pleased with. We have had quite bad chatter that we have struggled to get rid of, although I am told that this place is one of the worst circuits for this and maybe in Australia I might not have it. I am really happy with how the team is working. I finally got the traction control and the engine system, and this gave an improvement but it is really something that you need to get used to and be confident with to improve your times. It is something I can build-on for the next test. I know Phillip Island very well and it is a much cooler place so I am looking forward to starting again next week.”
Herve Poncharal, Team Principal, Tech3 Yamaha:“I am very pleased with how things have gone for the first 2008 test. It was important that both riders were quicker every day and the new bike and the tyres from Michelin have let us make a big step. Colin has impressed me with how he was instantly in the good lap-times; I think he has been the fastest on race tyres which is a positive sign. We have been testing a lot of things and for sure the new Yamaha is an improvement over last year. I would also like to thank Michelin for their application and the products that they have brought. Colin feels that there is a huge difference and James is continuing to learn, improve and surprise us; I think you have to go step-by-step in MotoGP otherwise we know how things can end up. We leave Sepang after many laps and with a lot of data for Michelin and Yamaha. We are eager to get to Phillip Island now because we will find some new conditions. Overall it is great to show we are competitive and thanks to the team for their good work.”
With their 2008 schedule now active, a busy sequence of work for the Tech3 team lays ahead. Logistical staff were busy Thursday afternoon loading the motorcycles and equipment into crates in preparation for the trip to the Phillip Island circuit in Australia next week and the second stint of testing for both riders. Further outings at the two IRTA dates in February (Jerez and Qatar) are then pencilled in. A little over six weeks remain before the first Grand Prix of eighteen takes place at the Losail circuit in Qatar; the first ever world championship night event.
Test Results: 1. Nicky Hayden - Repsol Hrc 2:00.326
2. Casey Stoner - Ducati Marlboro 2:00.660
3. Jorge Lorenzo - Fiat Yamaha Team 2:00.766
4. Colin Edwards - Yamaha Tech3 2:01.179
5. John Hopkins - Kawasaki Racing 2:01.198
6. Valentino Rossi - Fiat Yamaha Team 2:01.425
7. Andrea Dovizioso - Jir Team Scot 2:01.447
8. James Toseland - Yamaha Tech3 2:01.745
9. Chris Vermeulen - Rizla Suzuki 2:01.748
10. Loris Capirossi - Rizla Suzuki 2:01.778
11. Randy De Puniet - Honda Lcr 2:01.873
12. Shinya Nakano - Honda Gresini 2:02.032
13. Alex De Angelis - Honda Gresini 2:02.198
14. Marco Melandri - Ducati Marlboro 2:02.725
15. Anthony West - Kawasaki Racing 2:02.978
16. Toni Elias - Alice Team 2:02.995
17 Olivier Jacque - Kawasaki Racing 2:03.030
18 Sylvain Guintoli - Alice Team 2:03.628
19 Niccolò Canepa - Ducati Test 2:03.703
20 Tamaki Serizawa - Kawasaki Racing 2:04.354
Sepang Lap Record: Casey Stoner (Ducati) 2007 - 2'02.108
Sepang Best Lap: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 2006 - 2'00.605
