Rossi sets fast pace at Sepang.

Reigning 500cc world champion Valentino Rossi returned to winter testing at Sepang today [Saturday] in preparation for the 2002 season when four-strokes are introduced to the fray.

The test was held in good weather and track conditions, and Rossi was quickly up to pace on the RC211V Honda four-stroke he will race in the 2002 championship.

Rossi and HRC team-mate Tohru Ukawa, put in a total of 134 laps of the 5.548km Malaysian track, and both men were pleased with the work they achieved on the opening day of the two day test. Ukawa was quickly up to speed, equalling his best time from the last test, but Rossi was even faster, and ended the day with a best time yet for the 990cc five-cylinder RC211V at Sepang, on
2min 04.36secs.

"Since I tested the RCV in Australia, I find the bike has changed, and it's better," Rossi revealed, "Especially at this circuit, it's very fast. We spent most of the day working on the engine settings, trying different injectors and things like that. We also worked on the tyre and suspension combination.

"We tried many types of tyres and I think Michelin are going in the right direction. Tyres are going to be very important this season but so far they are good. Ukawa-san did a good endurance test with tyres last time HRC were here and I'm happy with the results."

"This is the first day of our two day test and I have spent the time confirming the changes we made from the last test are good," Ukawa added, "I'm happy with the results. I'm running about the same times as I did at the last test here [23 January], but I made the time comfortably today.

"Now I have the machine set up the way I want it, I'm sure I can further improve the bike, and my lap times, tomorrow."

Leading two-stroke rider Daijiro Katoh was also present and tested the Honda Gresini NSR500 at Sepang. The reigning 250cc world champion did not equal his best lap time set at the track last month, but the Japanese rider was consistently fast all day.

Katoh's arch rival, and closest challenger for the 250 title in 2002, Tetsuya Harada was at Sepang with his new team and another NSR500. Harada rode the Pramac Racing machine for only the second time, his first outing restricted to just a few laps. At Sepang, however, Harada put in 67 laps, acclimatising himself with the world championship winning machine.

Leading performances (9 February):

Valentino Rossi Honda RC211V 2min 04.36secs 54 lapsTohru Ukawa Honda RC211V 2min 04.78secs 70 lapsDaijiro Katoh Honda NSR500 2min 05.83secs 46 lapsTetsuya Harada Honda NSR500 2min 09.57secs 67 laps