The Gresini Honda Team began the final pre-season test at Jerez today ahead of the 2007 MotoGP Championship which begins with the Grand Prix of Qatar in two weekend’s time. The changeable weather and resulting variable track conditions limited the amount of useful time available to the teams today, though better weather is expected for later in the weekend.
The Italian Marco Melandri put in the first fastest lap of the day as the track conditions began to improve towards the second part of the day. Marco could verify the improvements of the bike done during the winter test.
In progress also his team mate Toni Elias (9) who tested some new tyres brought by Bridgestone with positive feelings.
MARCO MELANDRI (1, 34 laps, 1’42"563): “I’m happy because we could verify the improvements done during the winter test sessions. Today the track conditions were difficult, especially this morning because it was neither wet nor dry. In the afternoon we could start the work programme scheduled for today. I like the rolling chassis and now I really start to have fun in riding. Today we started working on the power delivery of the engine and did a few tyre testing. Tomorrow we will try some more tyres and I’d like to do a race simulation and try the qualifying tyre in order to be prepared for Sunday”.
TONI ELIAS (9, 51 laps, 1.43"687): “Today we did an important step forward and it’s a pity that we couldn’t test the whole day, because of the rain. Bridgestone brought us some new tyres that should help me and in fact the feeling was immediately better. Tomorrow we have more tyres to test and I’m confident that we can improve. If we have enough time, I’d like to do a race simulation because I haven’t done one during the Irta Test. There is still a lot of work to do but I’m confident because we are going in the right direction”.
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