Valentino Rossi top man in Malaysian testing

pic SportsPics.co.za
By blue2bikes
November 24 2004

Although not having had it all his own way throughout testing at the Sepang circuit, the conclusion after the three days of action was that Valentino Rossi was still the man to beat.

His new Yamaha team-mate, Colin Edwards, was surprisingly not far behind him at just 0.06 of a second slower - with Colin the surprise of the three day test, lapping the circuit faster than his team-mate on day two.

Valentino Rossi, Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha - photo by www.SportsPics.co.za

Having completed 44 laps and further refining his bike, Rossi, aboard the new Yamaha M1 2005 prototype machine, was to end up topping the table after the three days with a best lap time of 2 min 2.35 sec, which was inside the fastest lap at the Malaysian Grand Prix by 0.9 seconds.

The main aim for Rossi and the team during the tests - which will now recommence on 22nd January, after Rossi and co have had a good rest from the rigours of racing and testing - was to keep the handling sweet and find more grip from the rear.

Overall test times for Rossi and Edwards were: Valentino Rossi 2:02.35s and Colin Edwards 2:04.31s.