Abe suffers 2002 accident flashback.

On Tuesday, Crash.net commented that Norick Abe's lack of pace during the first day of testing at Phillip Island could be partially down to his confidence sapping 2002 accident at the same circuit.

The Japanese was slowest of all on day one, then suffered his worst case scenario: a fall on day two, hitting his head in the process.

Abe suffers 2002 accident flashback.

On Tuesday, Crash.net commented that Norick Abe's lack of pace during the first day of testing at Phillip Island could be partially down to his confidence sapping 2002 accident at the same circuit.

The Japanese was slowest of all on day one, then suffered his worst case scenario: a fall on day two, hitting his head in the process.

All of which meant that the former 500cc race winner was in no mood to push hard on the third and final day, leaving him slowest of all once again. Abe would later admit that the 2002 accident had affected his riding.

"In 2002 I rode the M1 here and I had a fall at turn one, it was quite scary as I highsided at 200kmph and I think that is why I have not been very confident here; my lap time has not been good," confessed Norick. "Anyway we still have three more days here at the next test and I need to make a good time then. We have made a lot of changes, possibly too many!"

Phillip Island test - leading day three times:

1. Max Biaggi ITA Camel Honda 1min 30.27secs
2. Colin Edwards USA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 30.45secs
3. Sete Gibernau SPA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 30.60secs
4. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda 1min 30.60secs
5. Valentino Rossi ITA Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1min 30.80secs
6. Alex Barros BRA Repsol Honda 1min 30.88secs
7. Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1min 30.97secs
8. Troy Bayliss ITA Ducati Marlboro 1mins 31.64secs
9. Carlos Checa SPA Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1mins 31.96secs
10. Marco Melandri ITA Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 1mins 32.00secs
11. Shane Byrne GBR Aprilia Racing 1min 32.28secs
12. Neil Hodgson GBR d'Antin Ducati 1min 32.44secs
13. Norick Abe JPN Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 1mins 33.72secs

Phillip Island test - overall best times:

1. Max Biaggi ITA Camel Honda 1min 30.27secs
2. Colin Edwards USA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 30.45secs
3. Sete Gibernau SPA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 30.60secs
4. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda 1min 30.60secs
5. Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1min 30.71secs*
6. Valentino Rossi ITA Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1min 30.76secs*
7. Alex Barros BRA Repsol Honda 1min 30.88secs
8. Makoto Tamada JPN Camel Honda 1min 31.25secs*
9. Troy Bayliss ITA Ducati Marlboro 1mins 31.56secs*
10. Ruben Xaus SPA d'Antin Ducati 1min 31.66secs*
11. Marco Melandri ITA Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 1mins 31.70secs*
12. Neil Hodgson GBR d'Antin Ducati 1min 31.77secs*
13. Carlos Checa SPA Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1mins 31.80secs*
14. Shane Byrne GBR Aprilia Racing 1min 32.28secs
15. Jeremy McWilliams GBR Aprilia Racing 1min 33.38secs*
16. Norick Abe JPN Fortuna Gauloises Tech 3 1mins 33.72secs
* set on day two.

Comparative lap times:

Australian Grand Prix (19/10/2003):
Pole position: Valentino Rossi ITA Repsol Honda 1min 30.068secs
Fastest lap: Valentino Rossi ITA Repsol Honda 1min 31.421secs

Fastest Ducati lap: Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1min 32.109secs
Fastest Yamaha lap: Carlos Checa SPA Fortuna Yamaha 1min 32.593secs
Fastest Aprilia lap: Noriyuki Haga JPN Alice Aprilia 1min 34.048secs

For more pictures - updated daily - from Philip Island, click on the "Latest Pictures" link in the MotoGP channel...

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