Rossi leads testing field Valentino Rossi was in stunning form in Barcelona
Three-time world champion Valentino Rossi left the field trailing in his wake as he dominated testing for the new MotoGP season in Barcelona.
Rossi, who joined struggling Yamaha from Honda last year, set a time of one minute 44.571 seconds to beat Honda's Colin Edwards and Sete Gibernau.
"I must thank all the mechanics who have come with me on this new adventure," he told the MotoGP website.
"In two months they've done incredible work. The bike's not bad. I am happy."
Rossi said he believed Yamaha, who have not won the world title since 1992, would be battling for victories at the start of the season next month.
He added: "For sure, the conditions were quite strange and nothing is won yet, but we are competitive.
"I am very, very happy because we are at the top with Yamaha."
Earlier in the session, Ducati's Loris Capirossi had set a new record speed for the sport, when he was clocked at 215.87 mph (347.4kmh), admittedly with the assistance of a 24.86 mph (40kmh) tailwind.
But his session came to an abrupt halt when he joined Troy Bayliss, Jeremy McWilliams, Alex Barros and Carlos Checa in the gravel pit after they all ran into an oil spillage.
Former world superbike champion Edwards took over from Capirossi at the top of the standings, before Rossi's spectacular late display.
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Leading times from MotoGP practice session, Circuit de Catalunya:
1 Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 1 min 44.571secs
2 Colin Edwards (US) Honda 1:44.653
3 Sete Gibernau (Spa) Honda 1:44.669
4 Loris Capirossi (Ita) Ducati 1:44.871
5 Nicky Hayden (US) Honda 1:44.946
6 Kenny Roberts (US) Suzuki 1:45.046
7 Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati 1:45.073
8 Carlos Checa (Spa Yamaha 1:45.171
9 Marco Melandri (Ita) Yamaha 1:45.196
10 Makoto Tamada (Jpn) Honda 1:45.226
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/sport1...es/3579847.stm Frank
29-Mar-2004, 23:38 
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