The MotoGP winter testing program resumed, for many, today with most of the teams that will form the 2005 premier class grid in action at the Sepang International Raceway. In sweltering temperatures well over 100 degrees, and with humidity stifling, the Malaysian circuit gave way to its second test in less than three weeks. Entries from Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki joined Suzuki (who started testing on Wednesday) and Ducati (who began yesterday - Thursday) as the respective factories held a shakedown for their 2005 bike and tire packages.

Very Unofficial Test Times From Sepang

1. Sete Gibernau - Telefonica Movistar Honda 2:01.69 2. Alex Barros - Camel Honda Pons 2:01.97 3. Loris Capirossi - Marlboro Ducati 2:02.26 4. Makoto Tamada - Konica Minolta Honda 2:02.31 5. Valentino Rossi - Gauloises Yamaha 2:02.52 6. Carlos Checa - Marlboro Ducati 2:02.89 7. Max Biaggi - Repsol Honda 2:02.55 8. Nicky Hayden - Repsol Honda 2:02.68 9. Marco Melandri - Telefonica Movistar Honda 2:02.82 10. Kenny Roberts - Suzuki Grand Prix 2:02.77 11. John Hopkins - Suzuki Grand Prix 2:02.91 12. Colin Edwards II - Gauloises Yamaha 2:02.98 13. Toni Elias - Fortuna Yamaha 2:03.66 14. Troy Bayliss - Camel Honda Pons 2:04.45 15. Ruben Xaus - Fortuna Yamaha 2:04.83 16. Roberto Rolfo - D'antin Ducati 2:07.97

Honda debuted the full 2005-specification RC211V motorcycle today that has had revisions made to the airbox, fuel injection and electronics package plus an evolution of the clutch. The customer teams receiving a slightly different rear linkage package to the works duo of Hayden and Biaggi, and double vice-champion Sete Gibernau. The three main Honda men have received the new lower rear profile of the linkage that the HRC engineers believe will eradicate the chatter problems faced throughout 2005. Only time will tell.

Yamaha continued with their 2005 machine and are believed to have a slightly revised engine package waiting on the production line to test, possibly in Australia. Ducati are continuing with the revised GP-5 bike and their Bridgestone tire test programme and Kawasaki (from tomorrow with Nakano) will be trying to find a way forward with their new 'bigger-bang' engine in a revised 2004 chassis.

The Ducati satellite outfit, managed by Luis D'antin, appeared at a test facility for the first time today, Roberto Rolfo in the saddle as they began their preparations for 2005 with a 2004 season ending Desmosedici in the garage.

For the most part today, it was a case of settling back into machine set-up and rider feedback programmes to assess machine parts, both established and evolutionary, this morning with tire assessment widespread during the afternoon with the Michelin runners in the field getting a closer look at the new 2005 rear race tire.

Tire tests are expected to dominate day 2 (Saturday) with a good part of day 3 (Sunday) being used for race distance simulations and race 'feel' data collection. All of this before the MotoGP circus departs Malaysia for the slightly cooler climes of the Phillip Island circuit for winter test III less than a week later.

Comments of note, well, Max Biaggi and Nick Hayden enjoyed one of the more embarrassing moments of 2005 so far when the works HRC duo hit each other in pit-lane whilst entering and leaving their garages, Biaggi's bike being taken away for repair on the back of a truck. Hayden's bike (both works riders using new 2005 factory machines) was also damaged although not terminally but both riders were unharmed. And, Valentino Rossi shook off a bout of Malaysian flu to complete his day (including a Michelin tire test) before retiring to the hotel for an early night.