The crucial new third-generation Modenas is scheduled to make its debut at Le Mans for the French Grand Prix, second round of the European season, after delays caused by outside suppliers.

The England-based Team Roberts - the only independent manufacturers in Grand Prix racing - have already started bench-testing the new engine, for which the chassis has been built for some time. But delays in delivery of the crankcases from specialist engineers mean that vital track-testing time was lost from the schedule.

"We could have the bike up and running at Jerez for the Spanish GP, as we originally planned - but we decided it would be better in all respects to wait until we can run shake-down circuit tests. It is after all a completely new machine," said team manager Chuck Aksland.

The new third-generation Modenas was "a new beginning for the project," continued Aksland. "The delay was beyond our control. Our original suppliers let us down, and we had to find another firm at short notice for the final machining process. They worked day and night to get it finished, and we really appreciate their efforts.

"We're also confident that now we have all the parts in place, we can make rapid progress," he said.

The new engine was run for the first time on Wednesday morning on the dynamometer, and track tests are scheduled for the two-week break between the Spanish and French GPs, said Aksland. "The bench-testing has been very promising, and as long as track-testing goes without any hitches we'll have the machine ready to race at Le Mans," he said.

"Our target was always the start of the European season. We lost a good week waiting for delivery of the crankcases, and that delayed the debut by one race. It's still an achievement to have the bike running."

The third-generation three-cylinder Modenas is an important development step in the adventurous programme to create a competitive alternative GP machine to challenge the dominant factory motorcycles. The first two versions of the three-cylinder racing motorcycle proved the potential of the exercise. The third takes the concept one step further ahead, with a more compact power unit to take full advantage of the Modenas's lighter weight and better cornering abilities.

"The Mk3 machine is designed to maintain the reliability we have achieved with earlier designs, but also to regain the full advantages of improved braking and handling offered by the compact, lightweight design," said Aksland