Ben completes successful tests at Sepang

The Yamaha Factory Racing Team today completed the first test of the 2012 season at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.

Riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies spent the three track days working to develop the base set up of the 1000cc YZR-M1 ahead of the second Sepang test in one month’s time.

The riders and engineers focused on the balance of the M1 chassis along with improving the electronics package to gain the optimum performance from the increased horsepower. New Bridgestone tyres were also assessed ahead of the upcoming race season.

The times from today’s final session saw Lorenzo slot in as the second fastest rider, 0.59 seconds behind Casey Stoner. Team mate Spies wrapped up in fourth position, 0.88 seconds from first.

The riders will now return to the USA and Spain respectively whilst the engineers return to Japan with the valuable data to make the next steps forward in development. The team will return in four weeks time to test the work done.

Ben Spies - Position : 4th     Time: 2’00.495     Laps: 16

“It’s been a good test, we’ve got a lot of things accomplished, we’re definitely moving in the right direction with my bike. I tried the Yamaha test rider’s bike today which had a slightly different set up to make a fair comparison with mine. I made a small mistake, losing the front but that’s testing; it can happen when you’re working out the good and bad! All in all it’s been great and I’m really happy and looking forward to coming back and seeing what’s new.”

Test Times

1.  Casey Stoner (AUS)  Repsol Honda Team  1’59.607
2.  Jorge Lorenzo (SPA)  Yamaha Factory Racing  2’00.198
3.  Dani Pedrosa (SPA)  Repsol Honda Team  2’00.256
4.  Ben Spies (USA)  Yamaha Factory Racing  2’00.495
5.  Valentino Rossi (ITA)  Ducati Team  2’00.824
6.  Hector Barbera (SPA)  Pramac Racing Team  2’00.929
7.  Cal Crutchlow (GBR)  Yamaha Tech3  2’01.108
8.  Andrea Dovizioso (ITA)  Yamaha Tech3  2’01.257
9.  Alvaro Bautista (SPA)  Honda Gresini  2’01.384
10.  Nicky Hayden (USA)  Ducati Team  2’01.729
11.  Stefan Bradl (GER)  LCR Honda  2’01.894
12.  Karel Abraham (CZE)  Cardion AB Motoracing  2’02.218
13.  Katsuyuki Nakasuga (JPN)  Yamaha Factory Racing  2’02.334
14.  Franco Battaini (ITA)  Ducati Team  2’03.033
15.  Colin Edwards (USA)  NGM Mobile Forward Racing  2’04.722
16.  Ivan Silva (SPA)  Avintia Racing  2’08.225
17.  Robertino Pietri (VEN)  Avintia Racing  2’09.640
18.  Jordi Torres (SPA)  Avintia Racing  2’10.184