Friday, 14th September 2007

Kawasaki confirmed its place as second only to Ducati in terms of top speed by putting both its ZX-RRs close behind the leading Desmosedicis on Friday at Estoril.

d'Antin Ducati rider Alex Barros was fastest of all with a top speed of 316.2km/h along the lengthy main straight, placing the Brazilian just 0.2km/h clear of MotoGP World Championship leader Casey Stoner.

Third fastest was Stoner's factory team-mate Loris Capirossi, at 314.5km/h, but the lead Kawasaki of Randy de Puniet was just 0.6km/h slower than the Italian, with Anthony West 0.7km/h slower than his French team-mate and exactly 3km/h from Barros.

Meanwhile, Honda's determined efforts to improve its RC212V's top speed put factory riders Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa fifth and sixth - and within 1km/h of West.

Advertisement

The fourth Ducati, of Alex Hofmann, was eighth - one place ahead of Valentino Rossi. Rossi is using the new M1 engine featuring pneumatic valves and was 5.1km/h behind Barros. Rossi's team-mate Colin Edwards, using the standard engine, was 3.2km/h slower.

Ducati has enjoyed a top speed advantage over its 2007 rivals ever since the start of the season, back in March.

Related Images

[Top of Article]