Pitt debuts R1 Superbike

Andrew Pitt has debuted the 2005 Yamaha R1 World Superbike machine in testing at the Valencia circuit in Spain.

The three-day test began yesterday with the 28-year-old former Supersport champion completing 75 laps. The Australian has moved to WSB after time in the MotoGP championship and joins Yamaha as they officially enter superbikes for the first time since 2000.

“It’s been a really positive start, ” said Pitt. “We all expected a few glitches, but we got in a lot of laps without any problems. It’s the first day with a new bike and new tyres so I’m trying to learn as much as possible. We thought it would be a harder day, but we were able to make good progress on the engine mapping and play around with the suspension.

Massimo Meregalli, the team coordinator, was also happy with the test but pointed out the bike in testing has major differences to the one that will race in 2005.

“Most of the engine parts we are using are 2004 Yamaha kit parts and a lot of the parts are still standard, like the pistons and swingarm, which is only a slightly modified version of the stock one.”