THE HONDA GRESINI RIDERS LEAVE PHILLIP ISLAND WITH POSITIVE
IMPRESSIONS
The fine weather allowed the Gresini Honda riders to continue
the development of the bike in the third and last day of testing
on the demanding track of Phillip Island, Australia.
Both Marco Melandri and Toni Elias did a great job and completed
an impressive 100 laps for the Italian rider, 93 for the Spaniard.
In particular, Melandri tested some different set up solutions
before making a race simulation in the afternoon. Although
Marco didn't improve his lap time, he collected many important
data for further improvements and worked in preparation of
the race.
Positive day also for his team mate Toni Elias who worked
on suspension and tyres and, in the end, tested also a qualifying
tyre to collect important data for Bridgestone technicians.
Now the Gresini Honda riders can enjoy some days of rest
to dedicate to their training programme before next 3 days
test session, scheduled in Qatar starting from the 13th of
February.
TONI ELIAS (93 laps, 1.30.56): "The
balance of this 3 days test session is positive. We worked
on chassis, suspensions and tyres in order to find a good
compromise. In particular, tyre testing was very important
to collect important data and impressions. I'm confident because,
starting from next test in Qatar we should have some tyres
that are more suitable to my characteristics. We also used
the qualifying data to collect some further information for
Bridgestone. I'm not happy with my lap time but, at the moment,
we are working step by step to understand the bike and create
a good base for further set-up improvements".
MARCO MELANDRI (100 laps, 1.30.80): "It
was an important day because we understood many things as
for the chassis, suspensions and tyres. The Rc212V is really
a new bike, very different from the Rc211V 1000cc, so we needed
to test some different set up solutions in order to understand
the behaviour of the bike. We also made a race simulation
to collect important data that will be useful for next test
session. The balance is positive, my lap time cannot be take
as point of reference because I didn't use the qualifying
tyre, in fact I preferred to work for the race pace".
UNOFFICIAL LAP TIMES
1. Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 1m 29.52s.
2. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 1m 29.70s.
3. Loris Capirossi, Marlboro Ducati: 1m 30.14s.
4. Casey Stoner, MarlboroDucati: 1m 30.20s.
5. Alex Hofmann, D'Antin Ducati: 1m 30.21s.
6. Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki: 1m 30.34s.
7. Alex Barros, D'Antin Ducati 1m 30.43s
8. Carlos Checa, LCR Honda: 1m 30.46s.
9. Toni Elias, Gresini Honda: 1m 30.56s.
10. Marco Melandri, Gresini Honda: 1m 30.80s.
11. John Hopkins, Rizla Suzuki: 1m 30.80s
12. Shinya Nakano, Konica Minolta Honda: 1m 30.97s.
13. Kenny Roberts Jnr, KR212V: 1m 31.10s.
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