Camel Yamaha Team riders Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards both improved their lap times during last week’s MotoGP testing in Jerez, Spain, but are still working hard with Michelin to find a way to rid the M1 of the vibration problems that they are both experiencing.
Rossi, who recorded the 6th fastest time in Jerez said, "We still have quite a few problems with the vibration and this means that we can’t use the bike to its full potential and make faster lap times. We’ve tried lots of changes to the set-up – balance, suspension, but the problem remains.
"In some of the fast corners my speed was down by as much as 15 or 20kms. The good thing is that we’re much better and we’ve done some really good work within the team to make these improvements, but it’s still not enough and some other riders are looking very strong," Rossi said.
"Luckily we still have another day to try to find the solution and I am not so worried. If we still have this situation on the afternoon of the first race, then maybe we can worry but for now I have 100 percent confidence in Yamaha and Michelin," Rossi added.
A new batch of Michelin tires and some setup changes brought some improvements to the package, but the riders are still not able to use the M1 at its full capacity and are still further down the time sheets than in Barcelona two weeks ago, when they were both consistently fast.
Colin Edwards, who clocked in the 9th fastest time said, "We thought that the new tires would make all the difference. The situation is a bit better and I’m faster today, but the improvements really aren’t as big as we had hoped."
"Basically the chatter that both Valentino and I are experiencing is acting as a speed limit to our bike – we can push so far but no more. We didn’t want to turn the bike upside-down before we’d tried the new stuff from Michelin, but after today it’s pretty clear that’s just what we’re going to need to do. It’s frustrating after last weekend to have spent two days here without making any real steps forward.
Shinya Nakano showed his 2006 potential on the Kawasaki by topping the time sheets with a lap of 1’40.047, nearly half a second faster than second-placed Loris Capirossi (Ducati).
Last week’s testing concluded the pre-season MotoGP program, ahead of the first race in Jerez scheduled on March 26 for the Gran Premio de España.
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