Foret fastest at last pre-season test.

Frenchman Fabien Foret took his Ten Kate Honda CBR600FS to the top of the time sheet at the last official SBK test at Valencia.

29-year-old Foret was the only rider to break into the 1min 37 bracket during a sunny three days at the twisty Spanish circuit. Foret's time is a new unofficial Supersport lap record for Valencia and was also faster than some of the best lap times set in the Superbike class.

His team mate, Pere Riba, looked set to follow Foret into the 1min 37 laps but a combination of a throat infection and a crash in the last session meant Riba finished third fastest at 1min 38.106.

Foret was obviously pleased with his efforts, "This was the final official test and most of the teams were here," said Foret, "so it was interesting to compare my performance with other riders. To be fastest rider here is also very good for my state of mind, I am very confident." But Foret wasn't letting the success go to his head, "I am happy with my performance but I know that it's the first race that really matters, this is only a test and it will all be forgotten once the race starts. Now I want to relax, enjoy my racing and win."

His team mate Pere Riba was philosophical about his performance, "I've been doing well at this test, all except on the final day," explained Riba. "I am going down with some throat infection and it has effected my performance today. With race tyres I was lapping consistently fast and looking forward to trying some qualifiers on the last day. Unfortunately I wasn't able to make the best use of them, and then crashed in turn two on the final session after pushing the front a bit too hard. But I want to thank my team who have worked so hard all winter; the 2002 spec bike is really special. Pirelli have come up with some brilliant tyres and the guys at WP have done a great job again with the suspension. Now I am looking forward to the race!"

Team manager Ronald ten Kate couldn't hide his delight after testing had finished, "What can I say? Our two riders have been really fast during this test and that's a result of all the hard work we've done together over the winter," he said. "I can't say I am that surprised by the results here, especially after the promising times we recorded at Phillip Island during testing. What is clear is that our 2002 specification Honda CBR600FS is doing everything it should do and it's working well with the Pirelli tyres and the WP suspension. I am very happy for Fabien Foret, but I feel a little sorry for Pere Riba as I think without his throat infection he also would have managed 1min 37second laps."

Ronald ten Kate spoke highly about his team's efforts, "The team works so well together and I know that the entire team is now looking forward to the first race back here in Valencia."