Winter Test- Qatar
19-20th February 2005

TROY PIPPED TO THE POST BY HIS TEAM MATE!

After dominating almost all the sessions during the two-day Qatar tests, Troy
was pipped to the top spot by his team mate Yukio! There was less then six
minutes remaining when the Japanese ride took advantage of a clear track and
shot round the 5.380 kilometre course with a time of 2:01.480 - less then a
tenth of a second quicker then Troy. But Troy was far from disappointed because
he was very happy with his and the team's performance over the two days. Also,
he had started the tests suffering the effects of 'flu and was still not fully
fit by the end of today. Third fastest today was Cardoso (Yamaha), ahead of
Laconi (Ducati) and Gimbert (Yamaha). Current World Champ suffered a nasty
highside today and ended up tenth, but fortunately didn't have any serious
injuries.

TROY

This is good, eh! It's pretty good for us to end 1-2 at the end of the tests -
especially when they've gone so well and we've learnt so much. Everybody in the
team has worked so well together and we're delighted to finish with the first
and second quickest times. I had a bit of a sneaking suspicion that Yukio might
do the business at the end and I was ready to go out and try and beat him again,
but Cardoso ruined my plans. I was just about getting ready for a quick one, but
Cardoso was hovering and looking as if he wanted to latch on to me for a two.
Well, I couldn't have that, so I eased off a little. Then, when I did exit the
last turn and try and go for it, my top speed on the straight was way down
compared to a flying lap and I just couldn't do it. But this wasn't the main
point here in the two days. We wanted to improve the bike and we did that. We
wanted to learn the track and we did that. Considering that I was really crook
the day before the test and am still not 100%, I'm really happy. I guess the
other guys now know that Team Alstare mean business and hopefully Yukio and I
will be still at the front of the pack next weekend. This track changes quite a
lot, so I hope all the work we've done here will pay off if the track changes
again next week. It's going to be a great start to the season, for sure.
See ya.

OVERALL BEST TIMES (2 days)

 1 Yukio Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra)  2:01.480
 2 TROY CORSER (Aus-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra)   2:01.554
 3 Cardoso (E-Yamaha)                              2:01.797
 4 Laconi (F-Ducati)                               2:01.827
 5 Gimbert (F-Yamaha)                              2:01.956
 6 Silva Aberola (E-Yamaha)                        2:02.194
 7 Walker (GB-Kawasaki)                            2:02.442
 8 Borciani (I-Yamaha)                             2:02.548
 9 Haga (J-Yamaha)                                 2:02.591
10 Toseland (GB-Ducati)                            2:02.639