Philip Island test Shakey faster than Hodgson
 

And Caparossi less than a second behind the fastest Honda, although he was the fastest overall on the previous day

Max Biaggi (Honda): 1’30.21 (62 laps)
Colin Edwards (Honda): 1’30.45 (31 laps)
Sete Gibernau (Honda) : 1’30.60 (41 laps)
Nicky Hayden (Honda): 1’30.68 (83 laps)
Valentino Rossi (Yamaha): 1’30.80 (78 laps)
Alex Barros (Honda): 1’30.88 (74 laps)
Loris Capirossi (Ducati): 1’30.97 (56 laps)
Troy Bayliss (Ducati): 1’31.64 (68 laps)
Carlos Checa (Yamaha): 1’31.96 (92 laps)
Marco Melandri (Yamaha): 1’32.00 (80 laps)
Shane Byrne (Aprilia): 1’32.28 (67 laps)
Neil Hodgson (Ducati): 1’32.44 (64 laps)
Norick Abe (Yamaha): 1’33.76 (80 laps)

[Edited on 20-2-2004 by skidlids]

Well done Shakey. Not bad as I assume he has never raced there before?

Good to see Edwards up there. I really hope he wins some races and has a good season after how Honda treated him last year.

Earlier predictions of the Rossi factor being worth a second a lap seems to ring true based on the times of the other Yamaha riders. Apparently, a new Yamaha engine has a revised firing order which makes it sound like the V4 Suzuki and 4 valves as opposed to 5. At least, Yamaha seems to be trying to provide Rossi with what he wants.

Can't wait for the season opener!

Hmm,interesting.
Its got to be Max's best chance of the title this year.Sure there will be a lot of fast guys out there,Sete,Vale,Nicky H,etc,but Max has got to be stronger mentally(Been there,done that,etc).Got to be worth an extra tenth of a second a lap.;)
Biggest spoiler,gotta be that man Colin Edwards.I bet he's got the biggest smile in the paddock right now.:D
What about the Dukes,hmm,tough one.I cant really see them do any better than last year.Please God let me be wrong!
Aprillia,do me a favour,if Col could'nt tame it,Shakey and Jezza have no chance.
Just MHO (fuelled by Stella!;):D)

I so want Edwards to show em this year!!!

Hodgy has narrowed the gap on the leaderboard but he's going to have a tough year. Where's Xaus?

Xaus was visiting the hospital again after crashing on the 1st day of the tests.
Be interesting to see how good the New Aprilia will be once they have incorporated all of Edwards developement work, but that bike is still a few months off completion yet.
The coming season is warming up nicely

Xaus is in his normal place - hospital under observation!

thats a bit unfair on ruben, his throttle stuck open at 150mph and he had to bale out at about a 100mph,luckly he didn't sustain any serious injurys and was kept in as a precaution. i still think he will score more points than neil thats if the yeam can get the bikes to run properly.;)

I really want Rossi or Edwards to win this year - either way the mighty Honda will have egg on it's face - perfect!