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Ready to go after a break and confident by the performance of Yamaha's fresh 2010 YZR-M1 engine, Colin Edwards proved
to making an excellent return to MotoGP action at the Sepang track in Malaysia today.
The Monster Yamaha Tech 3
competitor finished his first day of 2010 testing with the third quickest time, a best lap of 2’01.932 only outdone
by Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner.
Edwards ended 48 laps in demanding conditions as the temperatures were up
to to 40°C and circuit temperatures a scorching 60°C. Edwards, who arrvied fifth last season in the World Championship,
was one of four racers who was able to lap under the current lap record and was only 0.030s behind Stoner. He was ecstatic
with the performance of Yamaha's fresh bike, especially the bottom end performance.
Ben Spies started his challenge
with a quick lap of 2’03.142, aiding the current superbike champion to 12th spot. A bout of jetlag following the extensive
trip to Kuala Lumpur, halted Spies from giving his true perforamce, with the Texan continuing to amend the prototype YZR-M1
engine and attempting to learn the long Sepang track.
Colin Edwards states: “After I blew off a few cobwebs
this morning I've got to say the bike worked really great and a big thanks to Yamaha. They have impressed me because we
knew it was a big challenge to achieve a high level of performance while also getting more durability out of the engine for
the new rules. And they have done that and I'm really happy, so I'm already excited about the new season.”
“The engine seems much better off the bottom. Last year I'd open the throttle and nothing really happened,
but this year there's a response when you push. I never even touched the bike today, I just got on it and rode it and
it felt really natural and I could do what I wanted with it. It accelerated how I wanted, I could hold a line how I wanted
and I was riding round talking to myself inside my helmet saying ‘how much fun is this?' When the bike does what
you ask, it's pretty easy. It was a great way to start what hopefully is going to be another successful year with Hervé
Poncharal and the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team.”
Ben Spies states: “I tried as hard as I could for the
first day but I've got a little bit of jetlag and I wasn't at 100%. Despite that the new bike is really good. I got
behind a couple of people and the engine performance was really good and that is a real positive. I'm still working on
my mid-corner speed and trusting the Bridgestone tyres and today was still a good day even if I'd like to have been a
bit further up the timesheets. My times aren't far off on a track that these guys know like the back of their hand, so
I know there is plenty more to come from me.”
“My guys asked me what I need to work on for tomorrow
and right now it's just me. There's a good half-a-second just in myself. I've got a lot to learn and it takes
time. I've already been getting a lot of help and advice from Colin about the track and that is great for me and for the
Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team that we are working together like that.”
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