World Superbike Championship - Magny-Cours test
Wednesday 8th - Thursday 9th June 2005

WINSTON MEN ON PACE IN FRANCE

The Winston Ten Kate Honda team has declared itself satisfied with progress
after two days testing in warm and sunny conditions at Magny-Cours in central
France. The 4.4km circuit near Nevers will host the final round of the 2005
World Superbike championship on 9th October.

With several new Pirelli tyres to evaluate, Chris Vermeulen and Karl Muggeridge
have also spent the two-day test working with a number of different swing-arm
specifications and rear suspension components to improve the power delivery on
their Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RRs.

Ronald Ten Kate - team manager:

"It's been a very good test and we started with the general set-up that we know,
with some information from the race here last year. When the riders were lapping
around the best race times from last year, we moved on to testing the
development parts that we brought and a selection of new tyres from Pirelli.
We've basically been lacking good drive out of the corners this season and we've
tested a lot of different parts to improve that area of the bike. Both riders
have been testing different components and then swapping to confirm the
information we've been getting. It's been very positive and, after we've studied
everything again back at the workshop, we can move on to Misano with confidence."

Chris Vermeulen - best time, 1m41.5s (on race tyre):

"I've done loads of laps here - 89 yesterday and I think even more than that
today. I'm pretty tired and the wrist that I injured last year has started to
ache a little, but we've definitely found out a lot about which way we need to
go. We're looking for a little more flex in the swingarm to get the power down
more easily so we've tried some different swingarm and rear linkage combinations
to achieve that. Pretty early yesterday morning I went six tenths quicker than
my best race lap last year and that was on a well-worn tyre. We've also tested a
load of new stuff from Pirelli - new constructions, compounds and shapes. Like a
lot of the other parts we've tried here, they all had advantages and
disadvantages. But when we put all the good bits together I know we'll be in
much better shape."

Karl Muggeridge - best time, 1m42.2s (on race tyre):

"It's been a really valuable two days, finally getting to spend some time in
good weather to try a heap of different things. It's really been the first
proper test time for me since I stepped up to Superbikes and the sunshine here
has helped me make the most of it. The different swingarms and linkages we've
mostly been trying have been good and we've made some progress in getting the
grip down better during acceleration out of corners. The only slightly
frustrating thing is that I haven't been able to try all the good bits together.
But we know which will be the best combination and hopefully that will set us up
well for the next few races."

Magny-Cours, France (4.41km)

2004 Superpole time - Troy Corser (Petronas)   1m41.547s
2004 fastest race lap - Steve Martin (Ducati)  1m42.312s