Both Sete and Melandri set high pace on intense day of tests with new material The first official tests sessions of 2005, nicknamed 'Grand Prix Zero', which are taking place at the Catalunya circuit this weekend got underway with a spectacular first day of action for the MotoGP teams on Friday. After a long an intense excursion from Malaysia to Australia and then Qatar, the Telefónica MoviStar Honda Team was at the head of proceedings on a first day clearly dominated by Honda.

Sete Gibernau lapped almost a second and a half inside his own record at the Catalunya circuit and clocked the second fastest time of the day with a best lap of 1'43"254, whilst his team-mate Marco Melandri was fourth on the time sheets with an effort of 1'43"433.

 

As well as being able to measure up to their rivals at the same track and with identical weather conditions, the Catalunya test also serve as proof of the good work that has been done by the team over the winter and is the perfect opportunity to evaluate the new material produced by Honda on the advice of the team. With this end, both MoviStar riders devoted the day to testing a variety of technical aspects, particularly chassis and engine, and both set a quick pace throughout the day.

 

SETE GIBERNAU (1'43"254, 74 laps): "To say it is the first day we've done a good job. We've tested a lot of things and that always means you lose time because you have to come in to pit so often. Despite that we've been at the top from the start and that has to be a good sign. We've got less things to test tomorrow so we'll be able to focus a little more on certain aspects. I'm very happy because Honda have brought us a bit of everything we asked for and we set a good pace every time we went out."

 

MARCO MELANDRI (1'43"433, 77 laps): "In Qatar I knew I had taken a step forward in terms of confidence and I felt much more sure of myself coming into these tests. The results shows that I feel more and more comfortable with the bike every day and I am working hard to adapt my riding style to it. I've just tried to concentrate on myself and prepare as well as possible for the races. I didn't put soft tyres on at any point. We're making progress and, if we get through our programme tomorrow as we have done today, I want to do a race simulation on Sunday".

 

LAP TIMES

1. Max Biaggi (Ita/Honda) 1'43"158

2. Sete Gibernau (Esp/Honda) 1'43"254

3. Makoto Tamada (Jap/Honda) 1'43"347

4. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) 1'43"433

5. Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 1'43"518