Post by BADGER on Feb 17, 2008 7:34:16 GMT
MotoGP rookie James Toseland produced one of the most eye-catching performances during the opening day of the official Jerez test.
Toseland's best time on race rubber of 1min 40.768secs was bettered only be seven-times world champion Valentino Rossi, as the Briton lapped 0.5secs faster than his best race tyre lap on the 2007 YZR-M1 at Jerez in November.
With rain forecast for the final two days, Toseland was also the only rider to complete a 26-lap race simulation, lapping consistently in the 1min 41secs bracket, while a qualifying tyre run netted a competitive fifth position on the end of day timesheets
"It is a massive boost for me. I've made a big jump in time on race and qualifying tyres compared to November," confirmed the reigning double World Superbike champion. "I'm happy to finish fifth quickest but to be second for most of the day on race tyres is more important for me.
"I also did a long run and was pleased with my consistency, because it wasn't the best part of the day with the conditions pretty windy when I was out. My best time on race tyres in November was a 1min 41.2secs, so to do a 1min 40.7secs is really encouraging. I was also a lot faster on my qualifying tyres so that shows the progress I'm making with the team.
"It just shows what work we have put in over the last few tests. It has not been easy to adapt but with the experience of the team and especially my crew chief Guy Coulon, they are teaching me fast and it shows in the lap times," the #52 continued.
"The time has come from the new traction control system that I didn't run in November, and a lot has come from me. I know how late I can brake and how the package reacts in certain situations. I can do things sub-consciously rather than wondering what is going to happen at that speed. When it is like that you can progress and go faster and faster," concluded Toseland, who is still riding with the standard spring-valve M1 engine.
Team-mate Colin Edwards - riding, like Toseland, in Tech 3's new yellow and blue colours for the first time - clocked a best lap of 1min 39.629secs to finish just 0.049secs clear of James, as the Tech 3 duo both within 0.5secs of the fastest lap set by Nicky Hayden.
Edwards however, wasn't anywhere near as satisfied as his team-mate.
"My lap time looks good and I'm happy with that but we have got plenty of room to improve," said the Texan. "My pace wasn't bad but strangely it wasn't as good as my pace in November, and I have got an improved engine and electronics. I'll have a sit down at the computer tonight with my team to see if we can resolve some of the small issues we have.
"To be honest I can't really put my finger on it and we are a little bit confused. But I know we can gain more time. The bike just seems a bit nervous going into the corner and the lap time is not coming as easy as it did in November. But that's why we go testing, though even with the problems we are still sitting in the top four which shows we are not in a bad position at all. I just want to be able to make the lap time a bit easier.
"Michelin is making a lot of progress with the qualifying tyres, and I think we have found a good direction for the season," he added.
Toseland's best time on race rubber of 1min 40.768secs was bettered only be seven-times world champion Valentino Rossi, as the Briton lapped 0.5secs faster than his best race tyre lap on the 2007 YZR-M1 at Jerez in November.
With rain forecast for the final two days, Toseland was also the only rider to complete a 26-lap race simulation, lapping consistently in the 1min 41secs bracket, while a qualifying tyre run netted a competitive fifth position on the end of day timesheets
"It is a massive boost for me. I've made a big jump in time on race and qualifying tyres compared to November," confirmed the reigning double World Superbike champion. "I'm happy to finish fifth quickest but to be second for most of the day on race tyres is more important for me.
"I also did a long run and was pleased with my consistency, because it wasn't the best part of the day with the conditions pretty windy when I was out. My best time on race tyres in November was a 1min 41.2secs, so to do a 1min 40.7secs is really encouraging. I was also a lot faster on my qualifying tyres so that shows the progress I'm making with the team.
"It just shows what work we have put in over the last few tests. It has not been easy to adapt but with the experience of the team and especially my crew chief Guy Coulon, they are teaching me fast and it shows in the lap times," the #52 continued.
"The time has come from the new traction control system that I didn't run in November, and a lot has come from me. I know how late I can brake and how the package reacts in certain situations. I can do things sub-consciously rather than wondering what is going to happen at that speed. When it is like that you can progress and go faster and faster," concluded Toseland, who is still riding with the standard spring-valve M1 engine.
Team-mate Colin Edwards - riding, like Toseland, in Tech 3's new yellow and blue colours for the first time - clocked a best lap of 1min 39.629secs to finish just 0.049secs clear of James, as the Tech 3 duo both within 0.5secs of the fastest lap set by Nicky Hayden.
Edwards however, wasn't anywhere near as satisfied as his team-mate.
"My lap time looks good and I'm happy with that but we have got plenty of room to improve," said the Texan. "My pace wasn't bad but strangely it wasn't as good as my pace in November, and I have got an improved engine and electronics. I'll have a sit down at the computer tonight with my team to see if we can resolve some of the small issues we have.
"To be honest I can't really put my finger on it and we are a little bit confused. But I know we can gain more time. The bike just seems a bit nervous going into the corner and the lap time is not coming as easy as it did in November. But that's why we go testing, though even with the problems we are still sitting in the top four which shows we are not in a bad position at all. I just want to be able to make the lap time a bit easier.
"Michelin is making a lot of progress with the qualifying tyres, and I think we have found a good direction for the season," he added.