Both men have one modified chassis apiece, to allow them to compare the different rear-shock pivot and revised geometry against the older chassis. They also have a new, sleeker fairing and new radiator, to improve straight-line speed (by around 2kph) and engine cooling.

"Max rode all this afternoon's session with the new chassis, while Carlos switched between the new and the old," explained YZR-M1 project leader Ichiro Yoda. "We changed the chassis to improve front traction. The weight transfer is different, which improves grip and feel as the riders brake into corners and let off the brake. Max already likes the changes, though Carlos had some front-end push which his crew aim to dial out for tomorrow. This evening both riders will make adjustments, to suspension and maybe also geometry."

Max Biaggi didn't take long to prove the efficacy of Yamaha's latest engineering efforts, challenging for provisional pole position during the final moments of this afternoon's opening qualifier on his upgraded M1. The Marlboro Yamaha Team man concentrated on his modified chassis and is delighted with the improvements.

"We've been experimenting quite a bit and I think this revised chassis brings us many possibilities," said the Italian. "It doesn't feel so different when you're riding, but it's much better for attacking the corners. We found a better set-up after this morning's session and I felt much faster this afternoon. I'm trying very hard out there, and I think we can make some small adjustments to help me go even quicker tomorrow, when I hope to make pole."

During GP racing's midsummer break Biaggi took a boating holiday around Sardinia, also attending the Marlboro Masters event at Zandvoort earlier this month.

Carlos Checa spent much of today swapping back and forth between his new and older M1 chassis, proclaiming the revisions a success, though he wasn't able to extract the best out of the bike this afternoon. The Marlboro Yamaha Team ace ended the session ninth, just 0.869 seconds off provisional pole sitter Valentino Rossi (Honda).

"We made some changes to the modified chassis at the end of the session and it felt better, though I was still getting some front-end push which was losing me time," said the Spaniard. "We'll make some adjustments to the base set-up for tomorrow and with those settings I think this chassis will give me a better feeling, so I should be able to push harder. For sure, we'll concentrate on the new chassis from now on, I just wanted to do some back-to-back testing today."

Like Biaggi, Checa performed at the Marlboro Masters during his midseason vacation, then kicked back with a brief holiday in the Pyrenees.

World Championship leader Valentino Rossi started the second phase of the 2002 MotoGP season as he ended the first phase last month, out front. But this time it took the Italian until the very last lap to topple Daijiro Kato from provisional pole. Kato rode the first nine races of the year aboard an NSR500 but has now been equipped with RCVs. He ended the outing third quickest.

"We had some rear traction problems but we fixed that and my last lap was very, very fast," said Rossi, who expects a strong challenge from his new RCV rival. Kato said: "I was really fast when I tested my 500 here in June, but the RCV feels easier to ride."

------   Red Bull Report   ------

After a four week summer break Red Bull Yamaha riders, Garry McCoy and John Hopkins return fit and focused to the second-half of the MotoGP calendar. This weekend in Brno in the Czech Republic the duo feel refreshed and ready to race on the fast flowing 5.4km circuit.

Hopkins left hand now bears the scar from his recent surgery in the United States. The operation repaired his middle finger - metacarpal bone that he fractured in the final qualifying session at German GP. Hopkins now has 3 permanent pin-size screws in his left hand. Dr. Arthur Ting (John's Surgeon) is in the Czech Republic for the Grand Prix and visited John today in the Red Bull garage. Immediately after the operation John resumed light aerobic training and built up to endurance level training and strength training two weeks before the Grand Prix.

McCoy enjoyed the summer break at his home in Andorra and spent his "time-off" working on his physical fitness. McCoy's daily physical training program is extensive (to say the least) and combines a minimum of 3 hours on the stationery cycle each morning with upper body strength training in the afternoon. "I'm feeling strong and fit after pushing to new levels in the training sessions and the gym assessment shows I've really climbed the ladder in terms of fitness. I've got a couple of trails bikes in the garage in Andorra so Dad and I have been up in the mountains doing a lot of riding together, its great and a good test for my ankle and leg. I can now put pressure on it and push off the rocks and there have been no problems, it's been a good strength test" he said.

Both riders were welcomed to Brno by the Czech Republic Media in a special Red Bull event staged on top of the International Business Centre in the heart of Brno on Wednesday evening.

Garry McCoy: 7th ­ 2'00.968 - "This morning my bike felt like it was a bit down on power but this afternoon after some changes it felt better. I'm a bit surprised because I didn't think the two strokes would be this competitive here against the four strokes. I did my fastest lap on the final run, right at the end (lap 21/21) We just have to wait and see what happens on Sunday."

Christophe Bourguignon (Race Engineer ­ Garry McCoy) - "We have improved the bike from this mornings session and we tried a different front tyre this afternoon and we are very happy with the results. I really think this morning we made it difficult for Garry in the Free Practice Session with too many different settings so we made the decision to keep it simple this afternoon and now we have a good result."

John Hopkins: 14th ­ 2.01.498 - "I'm happy with my ride today and I was on the pace early on. We began the session with a race tyre and tried a bunch of Dunlops throughout the session. The first tyre we had for qualifying was really good but unfortunately I made a few little mistakes toward the end of the lap and that cost me today. So we will work on that for tomorrow."

Colin Davies ­ Race Engineer for John Hopkins - "We need to do some work tonight to get the right race set-up and we have already found a decent race tyre for Sunday."

Peter Clifford ­ Director of Racing - " It's great to see Garry back in the groove and I think that there is every chance that John will join him tomorrow."