MotoGP 2004 - 250 competitors get down to business

A The 125cc official test at the Circuit de Catalunya ended at lunchtime today, allowing their 250cc World Championship counterparts to pick up the gauntlet in the afternoon and begin their own preparations for the 2004 season. Whilst the factory quarter-litre teams have been locked in lengthy tests throughout most of the winter, for many of the host of privateer teams it was their first contact with both motorcycle and racetrack since the final race of the 2003 season at Valencia, a fact made evident by the clear dominance of official Aprilia rider Randy De Puniet, the form rider over the winter period.

De Puniet and Aprilia newcomer Sebastian Porto sat atop time the sheets for much of a sunny afternoon and remained steadfast until the end of the session, De Puniet clocking 1’47.154 to fend off the attention of his factory team-mate by 0.268 seconds. Honda pair Toni Elias and his former 125cc team-mate Dani Pedrosa, making his first official appearance on a 250cc machine, were also impressive with the third and fourth fastest times respectively although, crucially, Elias was almost a second adrift of the unassailable Frenchman. Pedrosa and fellow rookie Alex De Angelis, riding an Aprilia, proved to be instant hits, with Pedrosa only having completed a few kilometres after his recovery from broken ankles and De Angelis one of the factory riders to have enjoyed several opportunities to familiarise himself with his 2004 machine.

There were further ‘official’ debuts throughout what looks to be a highly competitive field, with 250cc Japanese Champion Hiroshi Aoyama taking his bow alongside Pedrosa and former 125cc World Champion Arnaud Vincent continuing his adaptation to the larger cylinder machine. Aoyama enjoyed an encouraging session today, lapping seventh fastest, one place ahead of reigning World Champion Manuel Poggiali, sporting his striking new white and gold livery.

Australia's Anthony West was 17th quickest with a 1m50.899.

Previously, the 125cc session had ended in positive fashion for the Seedorf Racing team, who saw Alvaro Bautista top the time sheets on his Aprilia, just as team-mate Hector Barbera had done yesterday. Bautista’s quickest time of 1’50.922 was over a second inside Barbera’s previous best, and was a commanding 0.704 seconds quicker than today’s second quickest rider Fabrizio Lai, who has enjoyed an encouraging first official test with Gilera. Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso was third fastest ahead of Barbera, who slipped to fourth despite improving his time from the first day.

The 125cc riders now move on to Jerez, where they will begin the second and final official preseason test on Saturday. Testing continues at Catalunya with the 250cc riders on Thursday, before making way for the MotoGP teams currently setting up at the Spanish circuit on Friday.