Valentino Rossi was in scintillating form on the final day of the HRC RC211V test session at Sepangౠ today [Sunday], as Honda continued its preparations for the forthcoming four-stroke grand prix season.

The reigning 500cc world champion got down to serious work at the 5.548km track, setting a best lap time of 2min 03.61secs on the V-5 Honda, lapping seven-tenths of a seconꦫd faste🧸r than his best time on the opening day of the two-day test.

"The RCV is definitelyℱ very, very fast and I'm satisfied with the results of the test," the Italian reported, "Now we have a lot of data to work with before our next test at Barcelona, and I'm looking forward to riding the RCV at that test.

"We also did an endurance test today, ran full grand prix distance at race speed and the results were very good. The RC211V is a prototype and there is still plenty of room🧸 for developmenꦅt, but HRC have chosen a good direction to work in with this machine."

Rossi's HRC team-mate, Tohru Ukawa, was also faster than ever before at Sepang. The Japanese rider endeဣd the day with a beౠst lap of 2min 04.29secs on his 990cc four-stroke. However, true to form, Ukawa also crashed the RC211V twice during the day. The first incident was a slide with minimal damage, but the second, just ten minutes before the end of the test, badly damaged the RCV. Ukawa emerged unscathed from both incidents.

"I am very, very satisfied with the two-day test," the Japanese rider said, "Every😼thing has gone well and the RCV is faster than before. I bettered my lap ti🌼me again today although, unfortunately I also crashed twice today. Fortunately, I am okay, and there is no damage.

"Overallꦗ, the machine has improved and we have learned a lot at this 🎐test. Now it's back to Japan and study the data we collected here, then prepare for Barcelona next month. I cant wait to get there, this is an exciting project to be involved with."

Current 250cc world champion Daijiro Katoh, riding the Fortuna Honda G𝄹resi𓃲ni NSR500, was not to be outdone by the four-stroke riders, and took half a second off his Saturday time to end the test on a high note.

"I feel much better on the bike now, I'm very🦩 relaxed and have a very positive feeling from the machine," Katoh said afterwards, "We have worked on tyres and suspension here, and the results have been satisfying. We are faster than the best lap times set by the NSR500 riders here🐠 at the 2001 GP and I'm content with that."

Tetsuya Harada was also faster than on the openi🀅ng day but, having only just started his testing programme with the Pramac Racing NSR500, trod caref🍷ully with the 185PS plus V-4.

Leading performances (10 February):

Valentino Rossi Honda RC211V 2min 03.61secs 67 lapsTohru Ukawa Honda RC211V 2min 04.29secs 64 lapsDaijiro Katoh Honda NSR500 2min 05.35secs 53 lapsTetsuya Harada Honda NSR500 2min 08.72secs 61 laps