Hayden posted a fastest time today in the 34-degree heat of 2.01.94 and was pleased with the progress he and the team had made at Sepang. Barros again improved his time and was happy to get through the important test having learnt a lot about the 2004 Honda RC211V and having come through the sessions in a physically good shape after recent surgery to his shoulder.

Top five; 1) Hayden (Honda) 2) Biaggi (Honda) 3) Gibernau (Honda) 4) Edwards (Honda) 5) Rossi (Yamaha)

Nicky Hayden - “I’d be lyin’ if I said it didn’t feel good but I gotta’ remember this is still only practice! It really helps to be comfortable with the team and I think it shows. We’ve done a good job over the last few days and I’m happy. We’ve had a few problems but we are more experienced about fixin’ them now. I’ve never been that good in testin’ – I’m usually best on Sunday so we’re feelin’ positive. The bike feels good – Honda have made a great bike even better over the winter. The 16.5 inch front feels real good – just like I’m used to with a superbike. I just feel I can be more focussed on ridin’ the bike this year than last. Last year I guess I had some excuses – I was learnin’. This year I wanna’ win races. I’m lookin’ forward to getting’ down to Phillip Island – a track I really like – and getting’ the bike to go fast there. Then back to Europe for more tests; then racin’. Can’t wait.”

Wednesday; best lap 2m03.915; 6th fastest. 74 laps
Thursday; best lap 2m02.855 2nd fastest 64 laps
Friday; best lap 2m01.94 fastest 41 laps
(2003 MotoGP pole Sepang; V Rossi 2m02.48)

Trevor Morris – Hayden Crew Chief - “Put simply, we achieved everything we set out to over the three days . . . and more. Day one was hard – getting back into it and getting used to a slightly different feel to the bike. Yesterday we found a really good base setting and managed to put in some fast laps. Today Nicky went straight out and rode fast and consistently. We now go down to Phillip Island and look to get a good base setting and go fast again – at a track Nicky likes. We’ll then come back to Europe and try to do the same again. We packed up early today because we had done our work early – and fast.”

Alex Barros - “For me that was a hard few days; great to be back on a bike after so long away. I’m now sore and tired. We use ice on my shoulder and it helps. My confidence is coming back again and it’s good to be back on the Honda again. Although I have to learn all the reference points again it is a relaxed bike to ride. I have much feeling on the Honda –the tyres, the suspension. I’ve only used the 16.5 inch front a little. Too early to say yet. The set-up is not right but I feel I’m improving with every day. My lap times are constant and they will improve with my fitness. Tendons have to heal naturally so it will take a time to regain 100% fitness and this is the goal for the start of the season.”

Wednesday; best lap 2m05.980 17th fastest 52 laps
Thursday; best lap 2m04.427 14th fastest 48 laps
Friday; best lap 2m03.558 11th fastest 53 laps

Ramon Forcada – Barros Crew Chief - “I am satisfied with the way the new team is working over the past few days. Alex is doing everything we want. Step at a time. The start of the season is still a way off and every day his condition improves. He hasn’t ridden for a long time and it takes time top adjust to a new bike anyway but it has been a useful three days. We move to Phillip Island with a good base foundation and something to build on.”