Edwards matches Rossi on new Cube at Jerez.

Today, Colin Edwards got his first taste of the 2003 RS Cube - lighter, faster and better handling than it's predecessor. The result? He was a massive 1.3secs faster, and matched Rossi's race pace in the Spainish Grand Prix.

He was also 0.3secs faster than the lead Ducati of Loris Capirossi the day before, however on their final day of testing the Italian also improved to dip under the pole record [see seperate story].

Nevertheless, Edwards was still a huge 1.6secs faster than his old WSBK rival Troy Bayliss.

Edwards was riding an early version of the 2003 race machine - nicknamed the "lab" bike - which was also being fine-tuned by long time Aprilia test rider Marcellino Lucchi.

The 2003 RS Cube has a new frame with different geometry from that of the 2002 version - and crucially the once overweight bike has been slimmed down by three kilos.

"You feel the lightness of the new Cube immediately," beamed Edwards, with reference to the machine's receding waistline. "As soon as I got on the bike, I felt it was going twice as fast and, the first time I braked, I could feel it has a far more efficient braking system. The bike is much lighter and its power is thus considerably greater.

"I'm really impressed with the Cube evolution and today was truly special," he continued. "This test session was really important, not just for the new features, but for all the work we did. I generally manage to get even more work done in a test session but with the Cube it's different: each detail needs to be worked out to perfection.

"We've still got more work to do but we're moving forward by leaps and bounds and that makes me really satisfied," concluded Colin.

Edwards 2003 team-mate Nori Haga wasn't at the Jerez test as he was home in Japan - getting married.