Three days of private testing in Spain - in a valuable pocket of good weather at the Almeria circuit - has left Proton Team Roberts raring to meet their rivals at open tests in three weeks time. 

Rider Jurgen van den Goorbergh is convinced that the latest refinements to the by now well-developed Mk3 version of the lightweight three-cylinder KR3 show that the machine has reached a high pitch of development. And he's more than ready to measure those improvements against the heavyweight V4 opposition. 

"In our first test, we were making big changes. At these test, just small changes. And all the time going in a good direction. We went faster again than last time, and tested a lot of different things to find out even more about the bike." 

"The bike feels perhaps even better than the V-twin I rode last year in the corners - which is where I had to make up time. And for sure it is a lot more powerful and faster - a lot more!" 

"I think it can make a very competitive lap time against the V4s - and we're all looking forward to the IRTA tests at Jerez, where we get our first chance to compare directly with all the other factory V4 bikes and riders." 

The team spent three days at Almeria, with the Dutch team newcomer joined by factory tester Nigel Bosworth. With a number of detail developments to be tested, as well as the finalised 2001 chassis and some aerodynamic experiments, the team were glad of clear weather to be able to complete a busy schedule, as well as getting some Michelin tyre testing accomplished as well. 

"We're in the best shape we've ever been at this time of year," said a satisfied team manager Chuck Aksland. 

"This time last year, we were still designing a new engine to be introduced during the season. Now we're just tidying up details of a fully tested race bike, as well as working with possible further improvements to bring in during the course of the year." 

For the first two days, the riders concentrated on chassis testing, with a number of suspension and geometry variations to try, as well as a new carbon-fibre swing-arm. They were also able to test both 17-inch and 16.5-inch Michelin front tyres. 

The third day saw strong winds, but even this was something of an advantage, since they were testing new more aerodynamic bodywork developed in the wind tunnel by the England-based team. "We were able to get a thorough assessment of the effects of cross winds and gusty conditions, comparing the old version to the new," said Aksland. 

The tests were conducted in an atmosphere of growing confidence and enthusiasm for the England-based team. Almost the entire KR3 machine is built in-house in their Banbury headquarters, and the 2001 season has every chance of being the best yet for the staunchly independent Proton Team Roberts. 

This is the fifth year of competition for the KR3. The Mk3 version combines a redesigned engine and chassis to regain the cornering advantage of the first version, while retaining the reliability of the second . Introduced early last season, it showed impressive reliability during race development from first prototype stage. 

The 2001 machine is the race-hardened final development of that machine. 

Rider van den Goorbergh is also a major added strength. The Dutchman had already shown his speed with a pair of pole positions on the Muz V4, and spent last year harrying the lesser factory V-twins on a seriously outpaced V-twin production machine. 

"We will have to wait and see what evolution has done to the other motorcycles over the winter - but I am very confident that we can surprise a few people and get much better race results with the KR3 as it stands," he said. "It's a very nice bike to ride, and a very good team to work with. For me, this is my most professional racing effort. I am really looking forward to the season ahead."