2003 Preseason test. Sepang

Rossi and Hayden happy with the result of the first 2003 tests
After three days testing at the 5.548km Sepang circuit in Malaysia, Repsol Honda team-mates Valentino Rossi and Nick Hayden managed to shave their times considerably from those at the start of the test. Rossi, the MotoGP World Champion, took over three seconds off his Monday time to post a 2m 02.65. (Alex Barros’ pole time from the Sepang GP in November was 2.04.487) Hayden improved his time from Monday by just over two seconds to post a 2m 05.47 that would have given him a 10th place start on the grid. The final day of testing was effectively cut to half a day as riders sat out the morning session. Overnight rain and humid conditions resulted in all teams taking a cautionary approach as they waited for the track to dry for tests to become valuable. The Repsol Honda pairing will enjoy a short break before flying to Japan for the official launch of Honda Racing Corporation’s racing plans in Tokyo on February 3rd. They will then resume the build-up to the 2003 season with further testing in February at Sepang again, then Phillip Island in Australia before attending the official IRTA tests at Catalunya in Spain – March 15/16. The first of 16 GP’s this year will be held at Suzuka in Japan, April 6th.Valentino Rossi: ‘A good three days and for me the best part is to understand the problems we have had in braking. We got some good settings yesterday and today we have found some good Michelin tyres. The grip on the edge has always been a problem but today we have the tyres and the settings to get good grip on the edge. The engine and chassis feel strong and now we understand the braking better it is possible to make a good time.Nicky Hayden: ‘I’ve gotta be pretty pleased with the tests here. It’s an awesome place and although it’s been hard learning the track on the new bike – I’ve leaned heaps and the important thing is I’ve stayed upright and the times are getting faster. Things seemed to get better when we set most of the bike to standard settings and I could concentrate on the tyres and just riding the bike better. I’d like to be able to go harder into the turns. It’s a question of confidence really. I know I can be far harder on this bike than I could be on my VTR. Im enjoying it. Im sure itll come!Valentino Rossi, ITA Repsol Honda TeamMonday 2m 05.76s – 23 lapsTuesday 2m 03.5 – 65 lapsWednesday 2m 02.65 55 laps Nicky Hayden, USA Repsol Honda TeamMonday 2m 07.76s – 58 lapsTuesday 2m 06.6 – 84 lapsWednesday 2m 05.47 – 60 laps