Australian testing session - day 3
 STONER
SMASHES PHILLIP ISLAND RECORD, MELANDRI SIGNS OFF SATISFIED
Casey Stoner lapped faster than any other rider in history
at Phillip Island today, his stunning lap of 1'28.777 coming
on the last of three days of tests at his home circuit. The
reigning World Champion used a qualifying tyre on his 25th
of 51 laps, although his pace during a race simulation was
equally impressive. Only his flying lap registered outside
the 1'30 mark as Stoner racked up 23 consecutive fast laps
with relentless precision. Only the heat of the track in the
scorching afternoon sun interrupted the local hero's progress,
three laps short of the intended total, but his satisfaction
was still complete.
Marco Melandri was also quite satisfied after spending another
day working intensely on finding a good feeling with his new
bike in race trim as opposed to trying for a fast time on
a qualifying tyre. Today he completed a marathon 108 laps,
including a race simulation.
The pair now have two weeks' rest before their next important
meeting at the Jerez circuit in Spain, where the MotoGP Official
Test takes place from 16th to 18th February.
Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro Team), best time: 1:28.777
(51 laps)
"We did the race simulation with one of Bridgestone's
new tyres and it went really well, even though we had to come
in three laps early. The track temperature today was actually
higher than it was for the race here and you could tell. Even
so we managed to lap consistently in low 1.30 and that shows
how well they're working in Japan. I'm also really happy with
the qualifying tyre, which is the same as last year. It is
a good thing that bike is not completely different to 2007
because it has allowed is to find an excellent base to start
the season from already. The new version of the engine has
a better delivery, especially at the bottom end, and that
has allowed me to set fast times more consistently, as well
as increasing tyre life. It has been a good test session but
now I'm happy to have a couple of weeks to rest and train
in the gym. The shoulder feels okay, it is just a little bit
weak and sore because I haven't been able to work on it as
much as I would have wanted but now we can do that."
Marco Melandri (Ducati Marlboro Team), best time:
1:31.377 (108 laps)
"This final day has been particularly intense for me
and my crew. We've continued to work on the balance of the
bike and then did some tyre tests The front is okay but I'm
having some grip issues on the rear. At the moment there isn't
much difference between using a new tyre and an old one so
we've got plenty of room for improvement in this area. In
the afternoon I did a long run and even though the lap times
weren't special we learnt a lot. We know what we need to go
forward and what can give us better grip to improve our speed
through the corners. We're on the right tracks and I'm sure
that in the next test at Jerez we'll take another step forward.
For now a bit of relaxing will do me good because the last
two weeks have been really hard work."
Phillip Island info
Circuit Record: Marco Melandri (Honda - 2005) 1'30.332
Best pole: Nicky Hayden (Honda - 2006) 1'29.020
Fastest lap GP 2007: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1'30.801
Pole 2007: Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 1'29.201
Unofficial lap times 01/02/2008
1. Casey STONER (Ducati) 1:28.777 (51 giri)
2. Nicky HAYDEN (Honda) 1:29.734 (102)
3. James TOSELAND (Yamaha) 1:29.754 (89)
4. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (Honda) 1:29.780 (90)
5. Colin EDWARDS (Yamaha) 1:29.795 (56)
6. Chris VERMEULEN (Suzuki) 1:30.216 (73)
7. Alex DE ANGELIS (Honda) 1:30.438 (91)
8. Shinya NAKANO (Honda) 1:30.728 (89)
9. Toni ELIAS (Ducati) 1:30.966 (97)
10. Randy DE PUNIET (Honda) 1:30.978 (115)
11. Sylvain GUINTOLI (Ducati) 1:30.983 (58)
12. Marco MELANDRI (Ducati) 1:31.377 (108)
13. Loris CAPIROSSI (Suzuki) 1:31.508 (75)
14. Anthony WEST (Kawasaki) 1:31.957 (90)
|
