Ducati dominated the second day of testing at Phillip Island both with the qualifying tyres used on the satellite team version of Alex Barros and with race tyres, which were tested today by Loris Capirossi and Casey Stoner while they continued their set-up work on the new GP7 machines.
There was satisfaction in the Ducati Marlboro Team camp, both for Loris Capirossi, who successfully tested the new Bridgestones, setting his best time of the day on race tyres, and for Casey Stoner, who completed two ten-lap long-runs at an excellent pace; the Australian used the same tyre each time and recorded the second quickest time of the day in race trim.
Tomorrow, the final day of the session before returning to Europe, the Ducati Marlboro Team is scheduled to test new qualifying tyres with both riders and also has in programme a race simulation for Loris Capirossi. The next tests scheduled for the team are in Qatar from 13-15 February.
Loris Capirossi (59 laps, best time 1m30.34s)
“Today was a positive day. We succeeded in completing the work load both regarding the tyres and the bike set-up. We have now reached a good balance and tomorrow, weather conditions permitting, we’ll do a full race simulation. On this track we have always gone well, and I’m pleased that the GP7 has also shown that it adapts well to this circuit, which is one of my favourites. The new Bridgestone race tyres are a step ahead of the ones we had before here in September for the GP, which were already pretty good. Tomorrow we’ll also be testing the new qualifying tyres”.
Casey Stoner (54 laps, best time 1m30.39s)
“Today we made a big step forward. Of the two bikes I have available, I prefer one more than the other. We don’t exactly know why, but the feeling is much better even when they have the same set-up. Unfortunately on this bike I had a minor technical problem that lost me a bit of time. After resolving the problem I then began to put in some good laps and I’m really pleased with my time and my pace. The tyres brought here by Bridgestone give a great feeling and are very constant. We’re improving day by day and I’m happy with the progress”.
Phillip Island lap record: Marco Melandri (Honda) 2005, 1m30.332s
Phillip Island pole record: Nicky Hayden (Honda) 2006, 1m29.020s
Temperature: air 24 / track 20 - 30 C
Unofficial times - Wednesday 31 January:
Barros (Ducati), 1m30.00s (60 laps) Capirossi (Ducati), 1m30.34s (59) Stoner (Ducati), 1m30.39s (54) Pedrosa (Honda), 1m30.44s (82) Hofmann (Ducati), 1m30.60s (74) Hayden (Honda), 1m30.61s (88) Melandri (Honda), 1m30.74s (86) Checa (Honda), 1m30.84s (100) Vermeulen (Suzuki), 1m31.18s (75) Nakano (Honda), 1m31.35s (89) Elias (Honda), 1m31.51s (90) Roberts Jr. (KR), 1m31.55s (94) Hopkins (Suzuki), 1m31.63s (65)
