MELANDRI AND ELIAS BACK ON TRACK IN QATAR
The entire 2007 MotoGP grid gathered together for the first
time today, as all 21 riders participated in the first day
of the MotoGP Official Test in Qatar. The three days of preparation
will be crucial for the teams as Losail will play host to
the first race of the season on March the 10th.
On the first day of testing, the Honda Gresini riders worked
on chassis and tyre testing in order to create a base for
the losail track.
Marco Meandri completed 64 laps , 1'57" 76 his best
time, lapping only 4 tenths slower than the track record set
last year by Valentino Rossi.
Marco's team mate Toni Elias worked on the bike setting and
tyre testing. He completed 54 laps (1'59"04).
MARCO MELANDRI (64 laps, 1.57.76): "Today
we worked on chassis, suspensions and tyre testing in order
to find the best base on this track. I'm very happy with my
bike, I feel confortable and I have a good feeling. We lapped
always with race tyres, focusing on the distance in preparation
of the race. At the moment we are not 100 per cent but I'm
confident. We are working with Bridgestone technicians to
decide the line to follow in preparation of the race".
TONI ELIAS (54 laps, 1.59.04): "We
started with the base of the previous test sessions and we
worked on the bike setting and made some tyre testing. We
tested several tyres but for the moment we haven't found one
for my characteristics, but I'm confident because the Bridgestone
technicians are working hard".
UNOFFIAL LAP TIMES
1. Colin Edwards, Yamaha Factory - 1'56.774
2. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory - 1'56.891
3. Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro - 1´56.960
4. Kenny Roberts Jr, Team Roberts - 1'´57.064
5. Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda - 1'57.070
6. John Hopkins, Rizla Suzuki - 1'57.350
7. Loris Capirossi, Ducati Marlboro - 1'57.360
8. Carlos Checa, Honda LCR - 1'57.370
9. Alex Barros, Pramac d'Antin Ducati- 1'57.690
10.Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda - 1´57.700
11. Randy de Puniet, Kawasaki Racing - 1'57.730
12. Marco Melandri, Honda Gresini - 1´57.760
13. Alex Hofmann, Pramac d'Antin Ducati- 1'57.800
14. Shinya Nakano, Konica Minolta Honda - 1'57.850
15. Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki - 1'57.900
16. Makoto Tamada, Dunlop Yamaha Tech 3 - 1'58.408
17. Olivier Jacque, Kawasaki Racing - 1'58.740
18. Toni Elias, Honda Gresini - 1´59.040
19. Sylvain Guintoli, Dunlop Yamaha Tech3 - 1'59.700
20. Shinichi Ito, Ducati TTT - 1´59.966
21. Andrew Pitt, Ilmor GP - 2´01.667
22. Jeremy McWilliams, Ilmor GP - 2'10.341
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