A rare rain shower over the Losail International Circuit spelt an end to the first session of night testing in Qatar, with Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo completing just one lap each.
Testing commenced under the floodlights at 1800 but the rain began as soon as Rossi and Lorenzo ventured out on track, with neither of them able to get a fast lap in. The cool night time temperatures meant the asphalt was unable to dry sufficiently from then on and, although some riders ventured back out later in the evening, the Fiat Yamaha pair decided not to risk a patchy track surface and their activities were suspended until Monday.
Valentino Rossi - Position: 14 Time: 12’31.872 Laps: 1
“Five minutes of rain really gave us a lot of problems. First we waited and then finally we decided to abandon it. I hope tomorrow it’s back to normal because this was our worst race last year and we need the time to see where we are and continue to improve with our new package.”
Jorge Lorenzo - Position: 13 Time: 2’24.832 Laps: 1
“I went out and on the third lap it started to rain – I couldn’t believe it! It seems strange to have rain in the desert and it’s been a nightmare for the team because we have lost a whole day. I hope it’s better tomorrow because I really want to try the new electronic system and also I need to keep working to improve with the Bridgestone tyres.”
Test Times
1. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Marlboro Team 2’00.717
2. Marco Melandri (ITA) Hayate Racing Team 2’00.867
3. Mika Kallio (FIN) Alice Team 2’01.020
4. Alex De Angelis (RSM) Team San Carlo 2’01.074
5. Niccolo Canepa (ITA) Alice Team 2’01.328
6. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 2’01.843
7. Yuki Takahashi (JPN) Scot Racing Team 2’03.221
8. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Repsol Honda 2’03.233
9. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha 2’03.417
10. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 2’03.417
11. Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha 2’03.652
12. Toni Elias (SPA) Team San Carlo 2’08.637
13. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 2’24.832
14. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 12’31.872
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