Capirossi fastest at weather-affected Sepang Test

[Gix]

The Sepang Test experienced another washout today, the victim of unfortunate weather conditions for the teams and riders.

A damp surface in the morning kept everyone in the pit garages until 12 o’clock, when the riders went out on a relatively slow track. At about 2 o’clock another shower brought proceedings to a halt until 4 in the afternoon. A further twenty minutes of track time were available before thunder and lightning and a heavy downpour brought an end to the test.

After the first spell of rain, various teams such as Camel Yamaha and Suzuki, in addition to riders Nicky Hayden and Toni Elías, decided not to risk getting in the saddle. Youngsters Randy de Puniet and Dani Pedrosa, as well as Tuesday´s fastest rider Marco Melandri, all took the plunge and undertook laps.

Ducati rider Loris Capirossi headed the leaderboard with a time of 2’01.92 in today´s curtailed session. Teammate Sete Gibernau however continued to suffer misfortune, rain and yesterday´s stomach complaint meaning he has been unable to carry out the tests with the Bridgestones that had been planned.

Yesterday´s fastest rider Shinya Nakano dropped over a second from his best time from the second day, a lap which was the second fastest of the Sepang Test. He was sandwiched in the leaderboard by the Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards, who have experienced chattering problems during the three day session but still clocked impressive times.

John Hopkins continued Suzuki´s improved run of testing, the team appearing to put the electronic problems of the first test in Malaysia behind them. He finished fifth today with a time of 2’02.34. Teammate Chris Vermeulen only completed one lap, an injury cutting short his testing.

Sepang Test day 3

Unofficial Times

1. Loris Capirossi – Ducati Marlboro 2’01.92
2. Valentino Rossi – Camel Yamaha 2’02.06
3. Shinya Nakano – Kawasaki Racing 2’02.20
4. Colin Edwards – Camel Yamaha 2’02.24
5. John Hopkins – Suzuki MotoGP 2’02.34
6. Randy de Puniet – Kawasaki Racing 2’02.47
7. Sete Gibernau – Ducati Marlboro 2’02.65
8. Carlos Checa – Yamaha Tech 3 2’02.66
9. Dani Pedrosa – Repsol Honda 2’02.68
10. Nicky Hayden – Repsol Honda 2’02.86
11. Makoto Tamada – Konica Minolta Honda 2’02.87
12. Marco Melandri – Fortuna Honda 2’03.00
13. Toni Elías – Fortuna Honda 2’03.64
14. Alex Hofmann – d’Antin Ducati 2’04.18
15. Kenny Roberts jr. – KR211V 2’04.30
16. Jose Luis Cardoso – d’Antin Ducati 2’04.82
17. James Ellison – Yamaha Tech 3 2’05.70
Chris Vermeulen – Suzuki MotoGP

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