MotoGP 2006 - Catalunya Test (March 3/4/5) -

Repsol Honda rider Nicky Hayden just missed out on topping the timesheets today, finishing second during the wet 40-minute official IRTA shoot-out in Barcelona. The now traditional pre-season timed session at the Catalunya circuit is the first time the MotoGP riders lock horns ahead of the first race at Jerez on March 26.

As the rain eased and track conditions improved, the 24-year-old American timed his attack perfectly, putting in his fastest lap as the chequered flag brought the session to a close. Only fellow-America Colin Edwards went quicker.

Hayden’s new team-mate, Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, chose not to go for a fast lap time in front of the 35,000 race fans attending today’s session, preferring to use the time to further familiarise himself with the Repsol Honda in wet conditions. This was the reigning 250cc World Champion’s first outing on a MotoGP bike in the rain at his home circuit.

Prior to the timed session this afternoon, the riders made the most of a dry track to continue development of the RC211V, work which will commence again on Friday as the team heads for the final pre-season test at Jerez in southern Spain.

Nicky Hayden 1m 58.921s. Official timed session (wet)
“It’s really nice to see a little bit of the winter’s work pay off and have a good feeling in the wet. I know this session doesn’t really mean anything but when I crossed the line and looked at the screen I was actually on top, so I was pretty excited there for a second. I’m not one of those guys to talk about how hard we’ve worked because normally those are the lazy guys! But this winter we’ve spent a lot time in the wet at Phillip Island and Sepang, finding a set up I like in the wet, so I’m pleased. It would have been nice to run in the dry today. We’ve got plenty of work to do at the next test so it would be nice to have some good weather in Jerez. I’m sure it will be a three full days of testing.”

Dani Pedrosa 2m 07.326s. Official timed session (wet)
“Today we didn’t do many laps because only two of the runs were dry before the rain came. But this test was really useful because it was good to test at a different track for the whole team as well as for me. I’m still learning how to ride a MotoGP bike and I’m happy because I’m making the kind of progress that I’d hoped, taking things step by step and going forward. So the timed session wasn’t really important for me.”

Makoto Tanaka Repsol Honda Team Manager
“It’s a shame Nicky just missed out on top spot from the timed session! Nicky found quite a good set-up for wet conditions but hadn’t enough time to get the quickest time. I think Dani needs more experience, especially in heavy wet conditions, but he brought back his bike looking good!

Over the three days of this test we had some very good results, especially on the engine side, but we still have an issue with rear traction. It’s disappointing that we couldn’t go as fast as we’d have liked here and we have a lot of work still to do, but we know what we have to work on.”