Biaggi remains in control as action intensifies at MotoGP Official Test

Max Biaggi launched another late time attack on his rivals at the end of the
second day of action at Catalunya on Saturday to continue his dominance of the
MotoGP Official Test. Having waited until the final lap of the session to post
the decisive lap on Friday, Biaggi struck slightly earlier today but still left
it late as a host of Honda rivals battled for supremacy in the setting spring
sunshine.

"Other pieces of the puzzle are fitting into place," reflected Biaggi. "The
final picture is of an RC211V which works at every circuit. Today we confirmed
different solutions we've been working on during the winter. We went out onto
the track with new parts in the chassis and suspension geometry. I think it is
important that we have clear ideas about the job we have to do, but we still
have a lot of work ahead."

The day was dominated by the Japanese factory's riders, with Sete Gibernau and
Marco Melandri also making their presence felt for long spells at the top of the
time sheets. In fact, the top five times were set by Honda riders today, with
Gibernau and Melandri third and fourth fastest respectively after Alex Barros
had briefly held top spot before being demoted to second by Biaggi. Nicky Hayden
completed the top five, with Yamaha's Colin Edwards the fastest non-Honda in
sixth place.

Edwards' team-mate Valentino Rossi, the reigning World Champion, continued to
encounter problems today with the set-up of his YZR-M1 machine and could only
finish with the ninth fastest time, over a second adrift of Biaggi, despite
lapping right up until track closure at 6pm.

Makoto Tamada made it six Hondas in the top seven whilst John Hopkins showed
signs of improvement from Suzuki ahead of their official presentation tonight as
he lapped eighth quickest. Hopkins' team-mate Kenny Roberts completed the top
ten ahead of Kawasaki rider Shinya Nakano and Ducati's Loris Capirossi.

The MotoGP Official Test reaches its climax tomorrow, when the fastest rider
from a 40-minute televised session starting at 14.00h will drive away in a
brand-new BMW Series 1 car as the prize for the BMW Award.

INFO 2005/12. 19-03-2005
DORNA COMMUNICATIONS
www.motogp.com