With only 10 days to the MotoGP 2007 season opener at the Losail International circuit in Qatar, the complete MotoGP grid, including both Ilmors lined up for the IRTA official tests at Jerez last Sunday. In addition to Kawasaki Racing Team, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP and Pramac D’Antin, AFAM also supplies its technology to team Roberts. This makes AFAM has by far the biggest share of the sprocket supply and is undoubtedly the most prominent MotoGP sprocket supplier.

PRAMAC D’ANTIN MotoGP riders Alex Barros and Alex Hofmann took the shoot out as an additional practice session and ran their Ducati GP7’s in qualifying configuration without giving full priority to the contest. In the first free practice of the day on the contrary Alex Barros and Alex Hofmann, continued to determine the ideal set-up for their Ducati’s, in preparation for the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar on Saturday 10th March. This is the first race of an 18 event series that will finish at Valencia, Spain in November.

Over 29,000 spectators came to Jerez to watch today’s final day of pre-season testing, and witnessed former World Champion Valentino Rossi set the fastest time on his factory Yamaha to win a BMW car.

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racer Chris Vermeulen recorded his fastest-ever lap around the Jerez circuit during the afternoon’s 40-minute timed session. French rider Randy De Puniet, whose Kawasaki is equipped with DC chain, finished 3 places ahead of him. Kenny Roberts Jr. completed the AFAM 3 within the top 10, securing a very encouraging 9th place.

Suzuki’s Australian rider utilised the session to full extent as he tested Bridgestone’s qualifying tyres for the first time on the Suzuki GSV-R800. He consistently improved on his times throughout the 40-miutes and set a quickest time of 1’40.043. Vermeulen continued with his comprehensive test schedule during the rest of the day, which included a long run on Bridgestone race tyres, as the team gathered as much information as they could in preparation for next month’s race here in Jerez.

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Team Test Rider Kousuke Akiyoshi didn’t have a very happy timed session as he was left sitting on the track after a high-side crash on his 10th lap. He was unhurt but unable to re-join the other riders and had to settle for 18th quickest. He also completed a detailed test day as he gets ready for his race debut at the Spanish circuit next month.

John Hopkins was able to get on track today, but only for the MotoGP riders’ group photo. The Anglo-American star is making good progress with his rehabilitation following his high-speed crash at Qatar last week. He is well on course for a full recovery and will take his place on the grid for the season opener also in Qatar.

26-year-old Frenchman De Puniet has been consistently in the top ten on the timesheet throughout the three-day IRTA test on race tyres, but despite finishing the timed qualifying session as the top Bridgestone rider today, de Puniet was convinced he could have gone faster had he not hit a false neutral on his final flying lap. The Kawasaki pilot had planned to run with a fourth qualifying tyre late in the session, but a light rain shower with just five minutes left to run meant that he was unable to improve upon his previous best time.
First and second place on the timesheet for de Puniet and Jacque during the final free practice session confirmed the potential of Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-RR, although both riders know that there is still some work to be done ahead of the opening race of the season.