MotoGP – Phillip Island Test Day 1, Rossi: 'We are optimistic, the bike has improved'

Team Gauloises Yamaha riders, Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards, declared themselves very happy to finally be able to test on a different circuit today after three consecutive tests on the Sepang circuit from November to today. The riders and their teams arrived in Phillip Island, Australia earlier this week directly from the Malaysian circuit where they finished the previous test session on Sunday and began a new three-day test today. With slightly cooler temperatures and a sea breeze that replaced the very high humidity of Sepang, the riders were able to make good progress already on this first day and both are very satisfied with the performance of the YZR-M1s in 2005 configuration on a new track.

Together with 15 other riders from the Yamaha, Honda, Ducati and Suzuki teams, six-time World Champion Rossi, who turned 26 yesterday, was second fastest today (unofficial times). The Italian, who won the 2004 championship on this track, did 82 laps on the 4.448 meter track with a best time of 1'30.55. His teammate Edwrads did 78 laps with a best time of 1'31.15 – the eighth of the day. Rossi's time was only beaten by last season's second qualifier, Honda rider Sete Gibernau (1'30.29). Nicky Hayden, official Honda rider, and Carlos Checa, of Ducati, were third and fourth with a 1'30.64 and a 1'30.69 respectively.

Valentino Rossi (1'30.55, 82 laps)

“Today went quite well. We immediately managed to make progress compared to the bike we had during the race in October. We have improved stability and the engine is also a little faster. We still have to work on the settings in search of a better feeling from the front end so we will continue to focus on this aspect over the next two days to look for further improvements. Today we also tested some Michelin tires and we are optimistic because the bike is definitely improving. We are satisfied with the work we managed to do on this first day.”

Colin Edwards (1'31.15, 78 laps)

“The bike performed well. We did some tests and experiments on the set-ups, but in reality the best is probably the one we already had. We didn't try to find a fast lap today, but the lap time wasn't bad at all! We also continued with the tire tests and collected some useful data to work on. It's nice to be on a different track, it's a breath of fresh air!”.

Davide Brivio, Team Manager of Team Gauloises Yamaha

“Finally we are on a new circuit, it's nice to be somewhere other than Sepang to test the new bike. Both drivers started well and did an excellent job on this first day. This afternoon the wind became a bit annoying, but all in all the weather conditions were good. I think we already have a good package available and we hope to be able to make further progress in the next couple of days.”

Gauloises Racing