MotoGP Official Test - Jerez - Day 3
DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM END SUCCESSFUL TEST AT JEREZ
 A
grey and cloudy sky cast an ominous shadow over the Jerez
circuit at the start of the third and final day of the MotoGP
Official Test, but more strong winds eventually opened the
way for an afternoon of blue skies and bright sunshine drying
out the circuit and allowing the riders to complete their
testing programme.
Stoner picked up where he'd left off on the first day of
the test by working on his dry setting and the World Champion
ended the day reflecting positively on the outcome with both
race and qualifying tyres, even though his fastest lap was
set when conditions weren't at their optimum. A small crash
midway through the afternoon did nothing to dent the Australian's
satisfaction at a job well done over the three days.
Melandri continued to work hard with his crew to improve
the feeling with the rear end of his bike although he was
unable to find the ideal setting for this track.
The next appointment for the Ducati Marlboro Team is a two-day
test under floodlights in Doha, Qatar, on the 28th and 29th
February.
Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro Team), best time: 1.39.845
(57 laps)
"The conditions haven't been perfect here this weekend
but this afternoon the sun came back out and we were finally
able to get some good laps in and work on finding some more
grip on the rear. We had another chassis setting prepared
on my second bike but the crash meant that we weren't able
to switch the tyres over and make a direct comparison so that
was a shame. The wind was making it quite difficult in some
corners and it didn't help with the crash but it was just
a small front end slide and I was fine. We were able to continue
the test and I tried out a completely new qualifying tyre.
We actually tried it at the wrong time of the day because
the wind was up and I could have gone much faster a little
later on but the point of the test wasn't to set the fastest
time but to see if the new qualifier was better than the previous
one, which it was so that was positive. Generally speaking
it has been a very positive test although we have been careful
not to make the setting too specific to this circuit because
it is very unique and you often find that the same setting
doesn't work as well anywhere else. Now I'm really looking
forward to going to Qatar, seeing how the bike goes there
and making the final preparations for the start of the season."
Marco Melandri (Ducati Marlboro Team), best time:
1.41.292 (72 laps)
"I can't deny that I was hoping to do better here but
the continual changes in weather and track conditions haven't
helped. At the moment we're struggling to find a good balance
for the rear of the bike so I don't have the confidence to
make the most out of the power. This circuit in particular
is also probably not the most favourable for us but we still
have to improve. Hopefully we can do that in Qatar, where
a night test will provide something of the unknown for everybody."
Jerez Circuit info
Circuit Record: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha - 2005) 1'40.596
Best pole: Loris Capirossi (Ducati - 2006) 1'39.064
Lap times Monday 18th February
1. Hayden (Honda) 1.38.848 al 81° (82)
2. Lorenzo (Yamaha) 1.39.252 al 60° (60)
3. Dovizioso (Honda) 1.39.313 al 56° (62)
4. De Puniet (Honda) 1.39.351 al 68° (68)
5. Rossi (Yamaha) 1.39.568 all'79° (79)
6. Toseland (Yamaha) 1.39.727 al 36° (36)
7. Stoner (Ducati) 1.39.845 al 28° (57)
8. De Angelis (Honda) 1.39.932 al 54° (56)
9. Nakano (Honda) 1.40.333 al 66° (66)
10. Capirossi (Suzuki) 1.40.442 al 35° (50)
11. Vermeulen (Suzuki) 1.40.576 al 42° (62)
12. West (Kawasaki) 1.41.026 al 39° (65)
13. Guintoli (Ducati) 1.41.615 al 34° (46)
14. Melandri (Ducati) 1.41.292 al 69° (72)
15. Elias (Ducati) 1.41.311 al 71° (71)
16. Pedrosa (Honda) 1.41.699 al 33° (35)
17. Canepa (Ducati) 1.42.160 al 72° (74)
18. Hopkins (Kawasaki) 1.42.970 al 17° (20)
19. Jacque (KawasakI) 1.43.496 al 17° (18)
20. Guareschi (Ducati) 1.45.597 al 28° (66)
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