The rain spoils the last IRTA tests of the 2004 preseason.
Low temperatures and persistent rain set the full stop to the Jerez tests. The World Championship will start in two weeks in South Africa.
The weather forecast said rain for today and, unfortunately for the MotoGP riders, they were right. The rain showed up at the Spanish circuit early in the morning and it was really pouring down sometimes. Consequently all tests planned by the teams will have to wait until the South African Grand Prix, which will be held in two weeks in Welkom. Despite the persistent rain, most of the riders went onto the track to make some tests with tyres and bike settings.Once again Repsol Honda Team rider Nicky Hayden was the rider with most laps (a total 43). His team-mate Alex Barros, fourth fastest time, was within the riders with less number of laps on the circuit, with a total of thirteen. They have both used the day to make tests with tyres, suspension settings and general set-up.
After these tests, the riders will not be back on their machines until Friday, April 16th at the first free practice session of the South African Grand Prix.
Alex Barros
4th, 1’55.544 sec, 13 laps
‘The day has been as predicted, with a lot of rain. I went onto the track because I had a couple of things to test. It went well at the beginning I made eleven laps only to see how the bike behaves on wet conditions because I’ve never raced like this here. When I stopped the rain began pouring down. The circuit was really flooded, there were several puddles on the corners and that increased the risk of aquaplaning; it was quite dangerous. It is very risky to test under these conditions, and therefore I decided to stop. This was the last test before the first race and I wouldn’t like to leave anything to chance. I’m quite satisfied with how everything has worked out, I’m confident. Our plans before coming over to Jerez had been to be in the front so I’m satisfied before the season start.’
Nicky Hayden
5th, 1’58.695 sec, 43 laps
‘It’s been a hard day. Riding with rain and on such a slippery track; it was more than easy to crash and that made the test really complicated. I made some laps on the wet and after a light crash it took me a lot to get back confidence. It’s not easy to ride on this track and you have to be ready to face any situation. I’m quite satisfied, the tests are over and now it’s time for racing. I’m really looking forward to South Africa. I know that I still have things to learn to keep on improving but I’m ready for competition and I want to know where I am. After these two test days we know more or less where we are and now I have to definitely get the rhythm; learn and ride faster. We only need to keep on working hard and we’ll be there.’
