Rainy pre season testing ends at Jerez with positive results
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01/01/1970
A very rainy pre season testing ends at Jerez for NGM Mobile Forward Racing rider Colin Edwards and his FTR-Kawasaki bike. The initial difficulties encountered in Malaysia due to the late arrival of some material and the weather conditions have been clearly overcome as shown by the clear evolution from the first two tests at Sepang to this last test.
The inconsistency of the weather has allowed American rider the chance to work on both wet and dry settings of his CRT over these last three days. The team has also mainly focused on the electronics in order to be ready for the first race of the season. It has even allowed both riders to narrow the gap between them and the top CRTs during the course of this last day of testing.
The constant progress of the FTR-Kawasaki bikes makes the team look forward to the first race of the season. The first race of the season will take place in less than two weeks at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar on April 7th.
Colin Edwards – 1´42.254
“All done with pre season testing and overall feeling happy. As far as the bike is concerned the bike, the chassis is fantastic. We have done a lot of work in a short amount of time to figure out a good balance. What worked in Malaysia we had to change a little bit here, Jerez always seems to be a bit particular on bike setting. In terms of the engine, we’ve come off from our first test, got a better unit and the exhaust as well, so we have added a little power. We have been mainly playing with electronics, really trying to figure out traction control and yesterday we ultimately found something that we can always improves but right now its comfortable, its consistent and comfortable and that’s what we have been lacking a little bit of. I’m happy, I’m ready to go to the first race.”
Sergio Verbena – MotoGP Technical Director
“We are happy with the results we have obtained in these last three days of testing even if the weather has not allowed us to test in the best possible conditions. In terms of the chassis for Colin we started of with the one that we ended the last Sepang test and we have added a few modifications and he seems to be very comfortable with this setting and feel confident for this first race of the season. The feeling with the electronics is pretty good and I would like to thank 2D, specially Dirk Debus for this collaboration. We go to Qatar with a good base. Colin shows good constant pace. We have positive expectations for this first.”
