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

On a day in which preseason testing drew to a close for MotoGP, the crowds at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain saw veteran Loris Capirossi demonstrate why he is a serious title contender for 2006. The Ducati rider today earned the fastest lap of the three day MotoGP Official Test, a 1’39.411 which knocked eight milliseconds off Valentino Rossi’s 2005 pole position record.

“The truth is that a lot of things have changed since we tested in November. We have improved in many areas and now we have a bike which is very competitive here, we can go round fast and have a good rhythm. We are hoping that things go well for us at the Grand Prix in less than two weeks,” explained Capirossi.

The Italian was also fastest on Friday’s session at the Andalusian circuit, just ahead of team-mate Sete Gibernau, a feat which was mirrored in today’s final outing. Gibernau was the only other rider to break the 1’40 barrier, and the Ducati one-two is a positive sign for both the team and their tyre suppliers Bridgestone.

Further good news came for the Japanese tyre brand in third place, as after topping the timesheets yesterday, Shinya Nakano was once again in fine form onboard the Kawasaki Ninja. He was joined in the top five by fellow Kawasaki rider and MotoGP rookie Randy de Puniet, who was fifth.

Another rookie to place highly was Spaniard Dani Pedrosa. The reigning 250cc champion put in the fourth fastest lap a second off that of Capirossi, but will be pleased at the amount of miles he has been able to put in on the RC211V this weekend. Team-mate Nicky Hayden was the next highest Honda rider in sixth, ahead of countryman Colin Edwards.

Edwards’ Yamaha was part of a group of three bikes to go round within a tenth of each other. Immediately behind the Texan was Toni Elias, at his home circuit and the final Honda to place in the top ten, who in turn was closely pursued by yet another strong rookie showing, Suzuki’s Chris Vermeulen.

Completing the top ten on the timesheets was reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi. The charismatic Italian was one and a half seconds behind Capirossi on a day where many teams were focusing their energies on tyre testing. It will only be with the first free practices and race of the season, which will take place at the Circuito de Jerez in two weeks’ time, that the true potential of the title contenders will become apparent. However today’s final day of testing, under dry sunny conditions with a temperature of around 25 degrees, has served as a tasty appetiser ahead of March 26th’s main course, the Gran Premio betandwin.com de España.