Second year American JD Beach admitted that he was delighted to have found time over the winter, having started 2007 as a complete road racing novice after making the switch from dirt track racing.
It's great, I'm about three seconds faster than I was last year, and I'm running with Matt [Hoyle] and Deane [Brown] - I couldn't do that last year, he grinned.
Quickest of the newcomers was Mathew Scholtz, who shrugged off a high-speed fall on the first day to be fifth fastest overall.
I really enjoyed that last session, and I'm feeling a lot better now," he said, "My favourite bit of the track is the last fast left hander... the place where I crashed yesterday. I made a mistake, I was too fast, but now I have a much better line and I am quicker - and not crashing.
For some of the newcomers, however, the combination of a 125cc grand prix machine and the
Jerez circuit came as a bit of a shock.
It's the fast corners, they are really new to me, admitted 12-year old Alessio Cappella, the Nigerian-Italian nicknamed 'Black Arrow' who will only be able to start racing at the Mugello round once he turns 13, It is a lovely bike and a lot of fun but, when the tyres get worn though, wow, you have to watch out.
Fellow newcomer Kevin Calia, a 13 year old from Imola, said that he had the same reaction.
Sure, it is the fast corners that are new for us, really something to learn," he confirmed, "But the bike and the track are great and I am having a lot of fun. I know I need to do some more work on setting up the front suspension, then I will be happier.
Finn Niklas Ajo, another newcomer, had a positive reaction to the fast corners, claiming them to be the 'best part of the track'
"They are so much fun, the 13-year old insisted after making his Jerez debut, "I am also enjoying the KTM, the feeling is quite similar to the RS125 I have ridden so it is not too difficult to get used to and I am very happy with everything.
