The second and final day of testing at the Sepang Circuit did not start out in the best way for Team San Carlo Honda Gresini riders Marco Melandri and Marco Simoncelli, with the former suffering a small crash shortly after taking to the track and the latter falling much more heavily on just his third lap out, causing great consternation amongst all those present at the Malaysian circuit. Simoncelli suffered a huge highside between corners seven and eight, coming down heavily on his head, although luckily the blow was partly cushioned by the activation of the airbag in his leathers. The Italian was taken to hospital for a CAT scan, the results of which were thankfully clear, meaning Super Sic was able to make a welcome return to the circuit even though testing duties were clearly suspended for him until the next session in Qatar in mid-March. Melandri, meanwhile, was able to get back on track after his crash although his satisfaction at the progress made yesterday was tempered by the disappointment of a less productive session today.
Marco Melandri (60 laps 2’02.078): “What a shame. I was really satisfied yesterday evening but not today. We weren’t able to build on the progress we had made and make the big step we were looking for compared to our performance here in February. It is disappointing to be going home with only half of the job done. The crash this morning was obviously a setback but we need to work out how we can bounce back stronger at the next test and I’m sure we will head out there in mid-March confident that things can be much better. ”
Marco Simoncelli (2 laps 2’03.689): “I don’t seem to have much luck at Sepang! We have had two MotoGP tests here and I have had two crashes, although luckily without any serious consequences. Whilst I can remember how the crash at the start of February happened I can’t recall anything about this one, which means I obviously took quite a blow to the head. The airbag helped limit the damage so I have to consider myself lucky in that respect. Just after the crash I was suffering memory loss, which worried everybody, but the CAT scan showed no signs of bruising so that was a relief. It was a lucky escape but unfortunately for me the test was over. Now we just have two days on track before the season starts. We’ll have to work twice as hard in Qatar and hope that the Doha circuit brings me a little bit more luck. ”
Fausto Gresini: “Today was unpleasant and disappointing, but given how it started we couldn’t have expected anything else – firstly Melandri’s crash and then Simoncelli, who did not look good. I was really worried about him; the fact that he couldn’t remember anything about the crash had me holding my breath until the relief of the CAT scan results. From being satisfied yesterday we leave disappointed today, especially because the positive form of Melandri had me hopeful of making another step forward, but it wasn’t to be. We know that we have a lot of work to do and that we only have two days left to do it in but I want to keep thinking positive. I have faith in the riders and mechanics and I hope that Qatar can bring us more luck. ”
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