CONSTRUCTIVE TEST FOR GRESINI HONDA RIDERS
The curtain came down on the three- day MotoGP Official Test
at Losail in Qatar with the the Gresini Honda riders, , feeling
that the Qatar test had been very useful in preparation of
the first Grand Prix race that will take place on this track
in a few weeks.
Marco Melandri and Toni Elias completed the third test of
the 2007 season, having accumulated a large volume of important
data for the forthcoming season.
Marco Melandri made an important step forward in the development
of the Honda-Bridgestone package.
While Elias was struggling a bit to find the right tyres for
his characteristics and he looks forward to next test session
in Jerez, the last of the winter season, in order to make
further improvements.The third day of testing was characterized
by comfortable weather conditions. Melandri completed 62 laps,
1'56"980 his best time. 71 laps for his team mate Toni
Elias, 1'57.246 his best time.
Now the Motogp riders will have one week to dedicate to their
usual schedule of training and some days of relax, before
resuming back on track for three days starting from Friday
the 23rd of February for the Official Motogp Irta test session
at Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, with Tv coverage.
MARCO MELANDRI (62 laps, 1.56"980):
"The team is doing a great job. I like the
bike, I have a good feeling when I'm riding. I feel very comfortable
with chassis and suspensions. Now we have to work on the engine
to make a further step forward. We continued tyres testing
with Bridgestone and we found some interesting solutions that
can be good in preparation for the race. In the afternoon
I tried also a qualifying tyre to gather some data and prepare
for the season. I couldn't use the qualifying tyre at his
best, while my race pace was quite good. I trust a lot our
partners so I'm confident".
TONI ELIAS (71 laps, 1.57.246):): "We
are struggling a bit because in this moment we cannot find
a good compromise in the package Honda - Bridgestone, we still
haven't found the tyre that it's good for my riding style
and my characteristics. I'm confident because we are working
hard with the Bridgestone technicians. We will get probably
some new stuff to test in Jerez for the next Irta test session,
this would be very important for us ".
MotoGP Official Test: Qatar
1. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda - 1'55.471
2. John Hopkins, Rizla Suzuki - 1'55.825
3. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory - 1'55.954
4. Alex Hofmann, Pramac d'Antin - 1'56.315
5. Colin Edwards, Yamaha Factory - 1'56.371
6. Randy de Puniet, Kawasaki Racing - 1'56.753
7. Loris Capirossi, Ducati Marlboro - 1'56.807
8. Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro - 1'56.834
9. Alex Barros, Pramac d'Antin - 1'56.950
10. Marco Melandri, Honda Gresini - 1'56.980
11. Shinya Nakano, Konica Minolta Honda - 1'56.980
12. Makoto Tamada, Dunlop Yamaha Tech3 - 1'57.232
13. Toni Elias, Honda Gresini - 1'57.246
14. Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda - 1'57.269
15. Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki - 1'57.365
16. Kenny Roberts, Team Roberts - 1'57.408
17. Carlos Checa, Honda LCR - 1'57.497
18. Sylvain Guintoli, Dunlop Yamaha Tech3 - 1'58.379
19. Shinichi Ito, Ducati TTT - 1'58.974
20. Andrew Pitt, Ilmor GP - 2'00.455
21. Olivier Jacque, Kawasaki Racing - 2'02.081
22. Jeremy McWilliams, Ilmor GP - 2'02.612
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