Today in Jerez, the final winter test session for MotoGP teams came to a close, and they were able to make to most of a dry track. The next time the teams start their engines will be for the free practice at the Spanish GP, on Friday April 8th. The two Camel Honda team riders today perfected the set-up of their machines, picking out a good base set-up for the imminent grand prix.
Ramon Forcada - Camel Honda - (Alex Barros's crew chief)
"We have done all the work we had scheduled, in the end we found a good solution for the bike's suspension both on the front and back. We are ready for the race, in the sense that we have a good basis from which to start from, because we mustn't forget that Jerez is a track that is affected by even the slightest change in weather. After yesterday and today for example, and by yesterday I mean when the track was dry, the conditions were completely different."
Alex Barros - Camel Honda - 1'40.569 (laps) 6th fastest
"In these Jerez tests we have really worked hard, especially today when I did over a hundred laps. We have honestly explored every avenue: electronics, front tyres, rear tyres, suspension, various geometries and at the end we managed to improve the bike where I wanted. Friday I was very nervous, today meanwhile I was able to ride cleaner, with a used tyre over 15 laps old I did a 1'41 and a half. With the qualifier I rode a 40.5 but I used my spare machine, so I think we can safely say things have gone well."
Santiago Mulero - Camel Honda (Troy Bayliss's crew chief)
"With a beautiful day today we were able to do some good work. We have tried a variety of settings on the bike which were completely different to yesterday, and also we tested a lot of different tyre types. By the end, Troy has found a reasonably satisfying set-up and improved his time by a half-second compared to Friday."
Troy Bayliss - Camel Honda - 1'41.529 (92 laps) 13th fastest
"All the tests are now finished, so the next time we get out on track will be for the race. I honestly can't wait. Compared to the first test we had in Jerez, I rode slower today, but what counts is that during all the tests we have done throughout the winter there has been a constant improvement in my feeling with this bike."
