DUCATI UPS THE PACE AT PHILLIP ISLAND
 Ducati
dominated the second day of testing at Phillip Island both
with the qualifying tyres used on the satellite team version
of Alex Barros and with race tyres, which were tested today
by Loris Capirossi and Casey Stoner while they continued their
set-up work on the new GP7 machines.
There was satisfaction in the Ducati Marlboro Team camp,
both for Loris Capirossi, who successfully tested the new
Bridgestones, setting his best time of the day on race tyres,
and for Casey Stoner, who completed two ten-lap long-runs
at an excellent pace; the Australian used the same tyre each
time and recorded the second quickest time of the day in race
trim.
Tomorrow, the final day of the session before returning to
Europe, the Ducati Marlboro Team is scheduled to test new
qualifying tyres with both riders and also has in programme
a race simulation for Loris Capirossi. The next tests scheduled
for the team are in Qatar from 13-15 February.
Loris Capirossi (59 laps, best time 1m30.34s)
"Today was a positive day. We succeeded in completing
the work load both regarding the tyres and the bike set-up.
We have now reached a good balance and tomorrow, weather conditions
permitting, we'll do a full race simulation. On this track
we have always gone well, and I'm pleased that the GP7 has
also shown that it adapts well to this circuit, which is one
of my favourites. The new Bridgestone race tyres are a step
ahead of the ones we had before here in September for the
GP, which were already pretty good. Tomorrow we'll also be
testing the new qualifying tyres".
Casey Stoner (54 laps, best time 1m30.39s)
"Today we made a big step forward. Of the two bikes
I have available, I prefer one more than the other. We don't
exactly know why, but the feeling is much better even when
they have the same set-up. Unfortunately on this bike I had
a minor technical problem that lost me a bit of time. After
resolving the problem I then began to put in some good laps
and I'm really pleased with my time and my pace. The tyres
brought here by Bridgestone give a great feeling and are very
constant. We're improving day by day and I'm happy with the
progress".
Phillip Island lap record: Marco Melandri (Honda) 2005, 1m30.332s
Phillip Island pole record: Nicky Hayden (Honda) 2006, 1m29.020s
Temperature: air 24 / track 20 - 30 C
Unofficial times - Wednesday 31 January:
Barros (Ducati), 1m30.00s (60 laps)
Capirossi (Ducati), 1m30.34s (59)
Stoner (Ducati), 1m30.39s (54)
Pedrosa (Honda), 1m30.44s (82)
Hofmann (Ducati), 1m30.60s (74)
Hayden (Honda), 1m30.61s (88)
Melandri (Honda), 1m30.74s (86)
Checa (Honda), 1m30.84s (100)
Vermeulen (Suzuki), 1m31.18s (75)
Nakano (Honda), 1m31.35s (89)
Elias (Honda), 1m31.51s (90)
Roberts Jr. (KR), 1m31.55s (94)
Hopkins (Suzuki), 1m31.63s (65)
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