Motorsport: I can push new bike to the limits - Checa
Spaniard Carlos Checa is looking forward to what he believes will be his best-ever season after launching the Marlboro Yamaha team’s new four-stroke machine in Barcelona.
Checa claimed he was at ease with the new Yamaha YZR-M1 after already testing the 200 horsepower four-stroke machine.
‘‘I can push the bike to the limits. I feel more confident with this machine than I’ve felt with the 500 two-stroke,’’ said Checa.
The Spaniard, who finished sixth in last year’s 500cc world championship and is now preparing for his fourth season with the Marlboro Yamaha team, added: ‘‘I think I can do better than I did on the two-stroke, and the fact that we have continuity in the team is very important.’’
Checa will again be partnered by Italian Max Biaggi this season.
‘‘I’ve always trusted Yamaha and this year I’m more confident because I have Antonio Jiminez as my crew chief.
‘‘Being able to communicate in Spanish will speed things up for me.’’
Checa has completed several thousand kilometres of testing on the YZR-M1, and is now in training for his first outing of 2002 at next month’s team test in Spain.
New team director Davide Brivio believes both men have a real chance of winning the first-ever MotoGP world championship.
‘‘I believe that we have the best combination of riders and machines, both Max and Carlos are capable of winning the championship,’’ said Brivio.
‘‘The M1 is a new project and that means additional motivation for Carlos.’’
