Fortuna Yamaha Complete Tests At Phillip Island

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Fortuna Yamaha Complete Tests At Phillip Island

Press Release Issued By Fortuna Yamaha MotoGP (March 11, 2005)

Fortuna Yamaha completed their testing programme in satisfactory fashion at Phillip Island today despite the tough weather conditions which the riders had contended with on the first two days. Sunshine and high temperatures today meant that Fortuna Yamaha riders Toni Elías and Ruben Xaus were able to continue working on the set-up of their YZR-M1 machines throughout the majority of the day. Toni Elías completed 73 laps of the Australian circuit with a best time of 1’31.85, making him the third fastest rider at the test overall. Toni concentrated mainly on suspension settings and the set-up of the bike in general. His Fortuna Yamaha team-mate Rubén Xaus completed 118 laps aboard his YZR M1, clocking a best time of 1’32.61 at one of the most demanding circuits on the World Championship calendar. Gauloises Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi set the best time of the day with a lap of 1’30.44 after completing 83 circulations of the Australian circuit. His team-mate Colin Edwards, meanwhile, set a best time of 1’30.50 after 79 laps.

Toni Elías (1’31.85, 73 laps)
“We have to keep going like this because we’re doing a good job. Phillip Island is one of the toughest circuits in this championship and I think that, despite the weather, we’ve worked really well. Today we worked on the configuration of the suspension and the set-up of the bike in general. I feel much more comfortable on the bike although we’ve still got a lot of work to do. I am happy.”

Ruben Xaus (1’32.61, 118 laps)
“The weather improved substantially today. We were able to ride much more comfortably and we followed the testing programme we had for today. I’m adapting more and more to the YZR M1. We have to improve the set-up of the bike and the basic secret to that is to work hard every day to keep evolving.”

Hervé Poncharal Fortuna Yamaha Team Director
“The weather on the first two days makes it difficult to compare the results from this session to when we were here a couple of weeks ago. We know Toni Elías has made a lot of progress, though, because he’s knocking almost a second per lap off his times every day. I think the most important thing right now is the communication that exists within the team and the job we are all doing, along with the potential shown by our riders, means we can look ahead to the IRTA tests in good shape”.