Detail

The Fiat Yamaha Team finished the Qatar night test in good spirits on March 3, with Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi second and third respectively in the standings.

Qatar Test Day One (Mar. 1)

Testing commenced under the floodlights at 1800 but the rain began as soon as Rossi and Lorenzo ventured out on track, with neither of them able to get a fast lap in. The cool night time temperatures meant the asphalt was unable to dry sufficiently from then on and, although some riders ventured back out later in the evening, the Fiat Yamaha pair decided not to risk a patchy track surface and their activities were suspended until the next day.

Test Times (Mar. 1)

(Ambient temperature: 17 degrees Track temperature: 15 degrees Humidity: 70%)

Qatar Test Day Two (Mar. 2)

After the rain upset the first night of testing yesterday, Fiat Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo were finally able to make a proper start on their testing programme in Qatar. Running under floodlights in preparation for the season-opener in a month痴 time, the pair were able to put in a good night痴 work despite a late-evening break when the track was red-flagged after two riders crashed.

With cool temperatures and a dirty track surface after high winds earlier, lap times were well off record pace but Rossi was able to put in some consistent times and finished the night second behind Casey Stoner. Lorenzo is still looking to find his confidence in the new Bridgestone tyres but he improved gradually throughout the evening to finish in seventh position.

Test Times (Mar. 2)

(Ambient temperature: 17 degrees Track temperature: 15 degrees Humidity: 40%)

Qatar Test Day Three (Mar. 3)

Lorenzo made a huge improvement as he continued to adapt to the new Bridgestone tyres and his new-found confidence led to a promising long run, in which he set a string of consistent laps. His best time of 1・6.733 left him second behind Casey Stoner and last year痴 leading rookie is now confident of being on the pace at the first race in one months time.

After a strong showing yesterday, Rossi ran into a few problems later on this evening when the cold meant the grip level of the track went down significantly. He is confident however that in the warmer temperatures expected at the race in a months time he will be in better shape. He posted the third best time tonight, with a fastest lap of 1・6.972.

The team now returns to Europe for the final test of the year, the Official MotoGP Test in Jerez, Spain on 28th and 29th March.

Test Times (Mar. 3)

(Ambient temperature: 15 degrees Track temperature: 14 degrees Humidity: 60%)

Valentino Rossi (Test Day Three Position: 3rd Time: 1'56.972 Laps: 75)

的n the early part of the evening we were fast enough but later on, when it became much colder and the grip went down, we suffered quite a bit. I started a long run but in fact I was getting slower and slower, so we didn稚 finish and concentrated on trying some different things with the setting instead. Our position is not so bad; we池e third, close to Lorenzo. Stoner is very fast but I am not too worried because we have a good idea about our path for the race and I think that in one month, when it is hopefully a few degrees warmer, we will be okay. This is not a great track for me or for the bike and the target for the race will be better than last year! Next we go to Jerez for the final test and I am expecting to be strong there.・

Davide Brivio ・Team Manager

徹verall we池e satisfied with this test because we致e found some good new things in the electronics and to improve the acceleration and in general we致e been quite fast. Tonight we suffered later on when it was colder and there was less grip, but we致e spent a lot of time working on a solution and we have gathered a lot of information which we will now study carefully. This is very important because this season we will have one practice session less at each race and we need to be ready!・

Jorge Lorenzo (Test Day Three Position: 2nd Time: 1'56.733 Laps: 82)

的 am so happy tonight because this session has been much, much better for us. The long run was especially good but in fact the whole evening has been an improvement, so I am very pleased about the job we have done. We致e tried some different settings, which have helped, but mainly I have adapted and found a way to be comfortable, which means I can ride faster. I have a much better feeling with the Bridgestone tyres and I was able to be very consistent throughout the long run and keep a good rhythm. Everyone has worked really hard to make this step and I am happy to finish this test on a good note. Now I am looking forward to the race!・

Daniele Romagnoli ・Team Manager

典his has been quite a positive day for us. We found a good setting that enabled Jorge to find the confidence to be faster into the corners and at the same time day by day he has improved his riding style on the Bridgestone tyres. I think the job we致e done here will help us a lot when we come here for the first race in April.・/p>