MotoGP 2003 preseason

First day test in Phillip Island for Repsol Honda Team
Team-mates Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden spent the day at the 4.448 km. circuit.
Both putting the 2003 Honda RC211V through its paces after the two-day test at Sepang, Malaysia last week. For the four-times World Champion Rossi, it was his first time back at the windswept and picturesque circuit just off the Bass Strait since the 24 year-old Italian superstar took the 50th Grand Prix victory of his career at the Australian Grand Prix last October. In contrast, it was Hayden’s first visit to the track and importantly another circuit he will gain valuable experience at prior to the start of the 54th Grand Prix season at Suzuka, Japan in just over five weeks time. The 21 year-old AMA Superbike Champion from Owensboro, Kentucky, USA is keen to experience as many tracks as possible prior to the start of the much-anticipated 2003 MotoGP season. The young American has now clocked valuable laps at Suzuka, Valencia, Jerez, Sepang and now Phillip Island.Valentino Rossi – best time 1m32.1s (92 laps) ‘It’s one of my best circuits and it is always a great pleasure to ride here. My motorcycle is going well. Already today we went faster than my best lap in qualifying for the GP in 2002. (1m32.849s) Today we try different solutions to find the best settings for the tyres, suspension and the transmission. The team are working very well and they seem relaxed – Australia is home for many of them! I’m hoping over the next two days to find even better solutions to make the bike better for the championship. The weather here is great – it will be difficult to come back to the cold of Europe!’Nicky Hayden – best time 1m34.5s (85 laps) ‘This circuit I enjoy very much – I’m havin’ a good time ridin’ here, learnin’ the layout. I guess it was gettin’ kinda’ boring going round and round Sepang. It’s always nice going to new tracks and this one here for sure is good fun. We were a little late gettin’ on the track this morning, as there was a real fine mist. Things progressed pretty quickly to a certain point then around lunch I just kinda got in a rut and I didn’t really go much better this afternoon. I didn’t keep movin’ forward as much as I’d have liked to but you know – I’ve got two more days here and am looking forward to gettin’ some more laps here and keep on learnin’.’