Kato reigns supreme as new RCV hits Sepang.

The second of the two HRC winter tests scheduled for the Sepang circuit got underway today with all Honda teams and riders taking part.

Setting the pace was Daijiro Kato, in a class of his own as he lapped the Malaysian circuit 1.4secs faster than the pole position time from last years Grand Prix - and almost 1sec clear of the next fastest RCV rider, none other than World Champion Valentino Rossi.

Peter McLaren

19 Feb 2003

Kato reigns supreme as new RCV hits Sepang.

The second of the two HRC winter tests scheduled for the Sepang circuit got underway today with all Honda teams and riders taking part.

However, at the same venue one month ago, Rossi managed a lap of 2mins 2.65secs - 0.45secs faster than the Japanese set today, indicating that there is much more to learn about the lastest spec machine.

"I'm very happy with what we did here today," smiled Kato. "We tried different riding solutions and settings with the new bike and I immediately felt the difference, and I was much faster. This has given me a real boost for the remaining tests."

Despite the deficit to Kato, Rossi was also pleased with his first impressions of the new V5, completing 61 laps of the space age circuit.

"Today was the first day on the new 2003 bike and it went well. Our main goal was to set the bike up and not go for the best time," the Italian explained. "I am happy with the feel of the machine and much of the work we did here at Sepang a month ago testing components has been of good benefit on the new bike. The weather here is good and I'm looking forward to another good day tomorrow."

A whisker behind the Repsol rider was long time rival Max Biaggi, Biaggi is not an official HGRC rider and it the exact level of support he will receive from HRC remains a mystery. However, the Roman Emperor spent the day tyre testing for Michelin, suggesting their wasn't much new on his Camel backed RCV.

"I tested a variety of alternative machine settings today and have some positive feed-back," he declared. "Michelin had so many tyres for us to test that I put in 70 laps. I was happy with the progress Michelin have made with the tyres since we were testing here a month ago, and I was pleased with the times I set."

By contrast, Biaggi's teammate Tohru Ukawa, was getting his first acquaintance with the new machine and spent the day setting it up to suit his riding style. He was 0.3secs slower than his fellow Pons rider.

"I'm very satisfied to be back riding again, especially as we have the new RC211V here," said Tohru. "Today I concentrated my time on finding a comfortable riding position and testing tyres. Now I feel good on the bike I'm really looking forward to tomorrow."

Spaniard Sete Gibernau was a busy man at Sepang. Gibernau was in and out of the pit box all day as the team tested a host of machine settings on his RC211V. They are now confident tomorrow will be more significant for Gibernau.

"I am very satisfied with today's results: the lap timing is the same as that of the third day of January's test here in Malaysia," he pointed out. "I do regret having lost plenty of time in the boxes today, but I am very determined to improve my position tomorrow."

Behind Gibernau, and sixth quickest of the eight Honda riders, was AMA champ Nicky Hayden, who put in an astonishing 84 laps as he gets to grips with GP machinery. Although he was over 2secs slower than Kato, he trimmed his best Sepang lap by 0.17secs.

"Had another tough day here really doing some laps. We're on the new bike, which feels good; better than last year's model we tested last time we were here," declared the American. "Everything feels real tight on it and I'm feeling more comfortable on it as well. I guess things are getting there. I'm just trying real hard to be where I need to be.

"There are a few corners where I'm struggling a little - I got one more day here, then we're off to Phillip Island, which I'm really looking forward to. I've heard the place is awesome!" smiled Nicky.

Behind Hayden was Pramac rider, and fellow MotoGP rookie, Makoto Tamada who, together with development rider Shinichi Itoh, put in a combined total of over 120 laps evaluating Bridgestone tyres developed from data gathered at the at the same track one month ago.

Both riders confirmed a definite improvement in performance and Tamada was 1.2secs faster than at his previous outing.

"I'm much better at this track now, much more comfortable. I am also starting to understand the bike, and the Bridgestone tyres," said Tamada. "Bridgestone have made a lot of progress in the short time they have had to work on development since the last test here at Sepang. Some of the tyres have really improved. I ran a 2m 05s lap time on race tyres so we are happy with that."

"I was struggling a little to find the best set up today to test the new tyres Bridgestone brought us. But in the end I got close to Tamada Sans time so I'm confident we will improve tomorrow," added Itoh.

Honda Sepang test - day 1:

1.Daijiro Kato JPN Telefonica MoviStar Honda 2min 03.08secs
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Repsol Honda 2min 03.9secs
3. Max Biaggi ITA Camel Pramac Pons 2min 04.0secs
4. Tohru Ukawa JPN Camel Pramac Pons 2min 04.3secs
5. Sete Gibernau SPA Telefonica MoviStar Honda 2min 04.7secs
6. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda 2min 05.3secs
7. Makoto Tamada JPN Pramac Honda 2min 05.3secs
8. Shinichi Itoh JPN HRC Honda 2min 05.4secs