John Hopkins and the test rider Kosuko Akioshi were the people in charge of carrying out the first tests with the Bridgestone tyres, the North American Kenny Roberts was absent. "I am very pleased to verify that the tyres work very well. That gives us very positive sensations thinking about the winter tests. They have made a good impression on me from the first few laps. The grip is very good and when I started to increase the speed the tyres were consistent and I was able to set very competitive times with respect to the start of the season. It is going to be interesting to work with these people" says Hopkins.

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In the Yamaha Fortune team, Carlos Checa combined his work on both frames with the front tyre selection, whereas the test riders Norick Abe and Norihiko Fujiwara concentrated on the Magneti Marelli injection system. "I tried new tyres with both frames and so I have been able to give more information to the Yamaha and Michel�n engineers. My times were good although my main target was to get some good sensations" explained Carlos Checa.

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"I thiunk that we still have to improve some aspects of the frame and the engine" adds the Spanish rider. "We have a good base and so we can begin to work on the new frame at the next training session in January, and that will also be at this circuit. The 2004 season will be far from easy and you never know how much your competitors have evolved either. Whatever happens we have a good base�.