Biaggi beats Rossi’s record

Marlboro Yamaha rider Max Biaggi went under Valentino Rossi’s lap record, set only a couple of days earlier, while testing development Michelin tyres at Catalunya.

The Yamaha team were joined by the Suzuki team, and lone West Honda Pons rider, Loris Capirossi, for a gruelling but productive few days of tyre testing, following the MotoGP race on Sunday.

Both Yamaha riders seemed pleased with the development tyres they were testing, with Biaggi recording a best time of 1 45.0s, and Checa on a 1 45.6s, one tenth outside Rossi’s lap record.

” This was a useful test for us, the new tyres definitely have potential, ” said Checa, ” The main thing for us was to give the best possible feedback to Michelin, so they can keep developing their tyres. ”

2000 World Champion Kenny Roberts spent two days at the circuit, completing over 70 laps each day on a revised chassis and next-generation prototype Michelin tyres. He was half a second faster than he had been in qualifying for the race.

Roberts was happy with the tests, despite having to manage the bulk of the work after team-mate Sete Gibernau came down with an illness

” This is one of my best tests ever, and certainly the best with the new motorcycle, ” he said. ” We were all pretty tired after the weekend, but the progress over the two days meant the whole team ended on a very high note. ”

Loris Capirossi tested the new Michelins without the help of Brazilian team-mate Alex Barros. Barros left immediately for Japan after the race to prepare for the Suzuka 8 Hour race, and for the World Cup match between Brazil and England on Friday (He has tickets). Capirossi was happy with the tyres, but said: ” It was a positive day, but after five intensive days I now want to relax. ”

The next race is the Dutch Grand Prix at Assen, on June 29th.

See MCN on June 26 for our full Assen pre-view. You can also comment on this story by following the link on the right to our MotoGP discussion board