Australian testing session - day 2
STONER GETS EVEN FASTER AS MELANDRI CONTINUES TO
ADAPT
 The
second day of MotoGP tests at Phillip Island started out in
wet conditions today, with intermittent light showers continuing
until lunch at one o'clock. Both Ducati Marlboro Team riders
took the opportunity to try different things, Stoner completing
11 laps on the damp track to confirm the performance of his
latest engine spec in these conditions whilst Marco Melandri
enjoyed positive feedback from the GP8 as he rode it for the
first time in the wet, completing 35 laps.
The sunshine dried the track in the afternoon and the test
continued with Stoner in great form, the World Champion breaking
the 1'30 mark on race tyres - some four tenths inside the
circuit record set in 2005 by a 990cc machine - despite the
cold and imperfect track conditions. Melandri was able to
resume work on his set-up, concentrating principally on weight
distribution as he continues his adaptation to the GP8.
Weather forecasts are better for tomorrow, the final day
of the session.
Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro Team), best time: 1'29.938
(45 laps)
"Today I set my fastest lap on tyres that had 22 laps
on them and that is really positive because it means that
the modifications we tried on the set-up have had the desired
effect, which was to increase tyre durability. This also allows
us to consider using softer tyres, at least in the odd race.
This morning I went out twice for just 5 laps each to verify
engine response, which is now smoother at the bottom end;
everything worked brilliantly and I'm really pleased. The
track conditions were never perfect but with some changes
to the rear suspension we were able to set some fast times,
all of them on race tyres. I think it will be possible to
repeat those times in the race here too because the new Bridgestones
are even better than the ones we used last year. Hopefully
the weather is good tomorrow so that we can complete a race
simulation."
Marco Melandri (Ducati Marlboro Team), best time:
1'31.478 (80 laps)
"Today was really tough - we did 80 laps in total, 35
of them in the wet. It was the first opportunity I've had
to test the Ducati in the wet and even though it was just
a case of getting a few laps in to get used to it, I felt
really comfortable by the end. In the afternoon, when the
track had dried out, we continued with the work we had started
yesterday, concentrating on weight distribution. I feel as
though the balance of the bike is noticeably improved, on
both the front and rear, and I can push harder through the
corners. I did a lot of laps on used tyres and the feeling
continues to improve. We've been able to confirm that my riding
style is completely different to Casey's and I have to work
hard with my crew to find the best way forward for me."
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 31/01/2008
1. Casey STONER (Ducati) 1:29.938
2. Alex DE ANGELIS (Honda) 1:30.449
3. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (Honda) 1:31.074
4. Shinya NAKANO (Honda) 1:31.316
5. Nicky HAYDEN (Honda) 1:31.373
6. James TOSELAND (Yamaha) 1:31.451
7. Marco MELANDRI (Ducati) 1:31.478
8. Loris CAPIROSSI (Suzuki) 1:31.545
9. Randy DE PUNIET (Honda) 1:31.575
10. Colin EDWARDS (Yamaha) 1:31.593
11. Chris VERMEULEN (Suzuki) 1:31.774
12. Anthony WEST (Kawasaki) 1:32.242
13. Toni ELIAS (Ducati) 1:32.246
14. Sylvain GUINTOLI (Ducati) 1:32.431
15. John HOPKINS (Kawasaki) 1:42.130
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