MotoGP News - Final Tests For 2006
16/11/2006
Bridgestone rider Chris Vermeulen led the first day of the penultimate test session before the winter ban, as the Suzuki racer joined a handful of rivals at Sepang to continue assessment of the next year’s 800cc machine for the second-generation MotoGP series.
But rain was the real winner, as all withdrew to the garages after the morning outing while a tropical storm flooded the Malaysian circuit (above).
With team-mate John Hopkins second and defending champion Nicky Hayden (Honda) a second slower, the Bridgestone riders could be happy enough … but these are early days, and lap times were more than three seconds slower than qualifying times at this year’s Malaysian GP. Vermeulen’s best was 2:03.90, pole time 2:00.605.
At earlier test following the Valencia GP, the new 800s were rivalling race times, if not qualifying times, of the outgoing 990cc machines.
Bridgestone recruit Toni Elias was a couple of tenths slower than Hayden as he made first acquaintance with the new 800cc V4 Honda, the first time the new bike has been tested on Bridgestone tyres.
“I only got 12 laps in before the rain, but it felt good – more like my old 250, and changing direction very easily. Working with Bridgestone for the first time, we have a clear mind, and want to get as many laps as possible."
Three days at Sepang are followed by another three at Jerez, from November 28 until 30, before the MotoGP testing ban until January 20.