Rossi sets the Pace at Sepang Test

shot taken with nikkor 300mm f2.8 mounted on nikon d2x at 1/640s f/7.6 iso:200

After the first official two day test for the 2010 MotoGP season at the Sepang International Circuit, Valentino Rossi of the Fiat Yamaha Racing team, tops the time sheets setting the fastest pace round the track at 2'00.925 with his teammate Jorge Lorenzo setting the third fastest at 2'01.680. The Fiat Yamaha team is off to a flying start in Malaysia.

Ben Spies of the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 and teammate Colin Edwards both managed to clock in 5th and 7th fastest respectively completing day 2 of the test at Sepang.

Ben Spies in yesterday's press conference, "I am feeling a little jet lagged, and it is my first time riding on this track with a whole new bike character. Edwards have been helpful by sharing some tips with me about the bike and the track. Hopefully, I'll be able to improve in tomorrow's session."

shot taken with nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 mounted on nikon d2x at 1/1000s f/3.3 iso:100

Stoner is quite happy with his team performance and managed to set 2nd fastest completing day 2 of the test in Sepang coming in 2'01.320, just 0.395s off of Rossi's pace.

shot taken with nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR mounted on nikon d2x at 1/500s f/2.8 iso:100

Dani Pedrosa, 3rd runner-up in the 2009 MotoGP Championship managed to complete the two day test at Sepang setting it 4th Fastest with his teammate Andrea Dovizioso coming in 6th fastest. The Repsol Honda Team riders leaves Sepang happy, looking forward to the next official test.

Rossi added, "Sepang is always a good track for the Yamaha so we will have to wait until Qatar to get a better understanding of our level, but we have made a great start."

Sepang will see the teams return for the third final official test later this month before the season's opener at Losail Circuit, Qatar on April 14th, 2010.

shot taken with nikkor 300mm f2.8 mounted on nikon d2x at 1/800s f/6.7 iso:100

The first day's test was very positive, we tried the new bike for 2010, with a different chassis and a new engine, which can do more kilometers, and it is quite fast. Yamaha has worked very well over the winter., Rossi added.

More pictures at my flickr site.