Catalunya Testing

[elephino]

Garry McCoy quickest at Yamaha and HRC tests in Catalunya
Red Bull Yamaha rider Garry McCoy set the quickest time on the first day of
private tests currently being held by Yamaha and HRC at the Circuit de
Catalunya, Barcelona. All times were unofficial, with McCoy clocking a best
lap of 1’46.4 despite windy conditions. McCoy’s teammate Noriyuki Haga was
also present, with the Luis d’Antin Antena 3 pair of Norick Abe and Jose
Luis Cardoso making up the Yamaha contingent. Cardoso crashed spectacularly
early in the session, almost destroying his YZR 500 beyond recognition, but
unbelievably the Spaniard escaped without serious injury.
McCoy seemed unfazed by having set the quickest lap, but was satisfied with
the general evolution of the machine he rode to 5th place in the
Championship last year. "We really haven’t done anything special today. We
been throwing new parts onto the bike piece by piece, such as the triple
clamps we used on the handlebars today, so overall the basis of the bike is
the same as last year. Obviously I’m happy with that and I’ve been able to
set some good times. We had a disastrous race here last year so it was good
to straighten that out."
Of the HRC squad present at the Spanish circuit, West Honda Pons rider Alex
Barros set the quickest time, 0.1 seconds behind McCoy and second fastest
overall. Barros’ team-mate Loris Capirossi continued his return to fitness
after recovering from the illness which saw his early departure from the
IRTA tests in Estoril last week. Another man trying to make up for lost time
is Alex Criville, who continues his rehabilitation programme after injuries
to both hands in previous tests. "I feel better every time I get on the
bike," he said afterwards. "I’ve missed out on a couple of tests and my
hands are still not 100% so I just need to keep working and in time I’m sure
I will be back to my best."
Unofficial lap times
Garry McCoy 1’46.4 (91 laps)
Alex Barros 1’46.5 (43 laps)
Loris Capirossi 1’47.0 (45 laps)
Tohru Ukawa 1’47.2 (87 laps)
Norick Abe 1’47.308 (68 laps)
Noriyuki Haga 1’47.392 (75 laps)
Alex Criville 1’47.8
Jurgen vd Goorbergh 1’49.4 (20 laps)
INFO 2001/33. 03-03-2001
DORNA COMMUNICATIONS

[Airhead]

Elephino

Thanks for the thread, it's great to see Garry relaxed and fast. Here's hoping for this year he can improve on 5th overall.

[gomick]

geez that great news, gazza has been quick everywhere and is a genuine contender , go gazza.......any news on how mark willis is going on the PULSE , what about ant west , time is running out

[elephino]

I haven't heard a thing on either of them unfortunately. But I have been a little busy lately.