MotoGP 2003 - Jerez Test - Day 1

The new Fortuna Yamaha Team pairing of Carlos Checa and Marco Melandri made a discreet start to their first tests of 2003 today in Jerez. In cold and blustery conditions the track temperature did not rise above 19構 during the first of three days of testing.

Spaniard Checa completed 55 laps and recorded a best time of 1m44.3, which is over a second slower than his qualifying time at last year's Spanish Grand Prix. Having worked on dialling-in the new fuel injection system and suspension settings on his YZR-M1 he was prevented from having his usual run of fast laps towards the end of the day by a problem with one bike.

New-boy Marco Melandri has again made good progress as he familiarizes himself with the powerful Yamaha YZR-M1 four-stroke. The 20-year-old Italian has joined the Fortuna Yamaha Team in the premier MotoGP class having become the youngest ever winner of the 250cc World Championship in 2002. He completed a total of 50 laps today with a best time of 1m43.8.

The team is testing with black fairings and neutral leathers ahead of the 20th February launch of its new Fortuna Yamaha livery.

Commenting on the day, team director Davide Brivio said: "Both riders needed today just to get back into riding after the long Christmas break. We were doing some work on the fuel injection with Carlos but Marco was just concentrating on riding and suspension settings. The weather forecast is not great for our three days here but I hope the rain stays away."

LAP TIMES

Carlos Checa, Fortuna Yamaha Team 1m44.3
Marco Melandri, Fortuna Yamaha Team 1m43.8

Alex Barros, Gauloises Yamaha Team 1m42.9
Olivier Jacque, Gauloises Yamaha Team 1m47.8

Shinya Nakano, D'Antin Yamaha 1m45.2