Ducati MotoGP team complete first day of tests at Le Mans

The Ducati MotoGP Team have concluded day one of testing at Le Mans today in cool and cloudy conditions. Thankfully the weather did not interrupt the riders’ programme and both Casey Stoner and Marco Melandri were able to work on various aspects of the set-up of their GP8 machines, as well as trying a variety of new Bridgestone tyres.

Stoner completed 50 laps on race tyres and worked on the electronics with the aim of improving engine performance. During a five-laps run, in which the Australian used a particularly encouraging rear tyre, he clocked a best time of 1’33.994.

Melandri worked relentlessly over 63 laps on the set-up of his machine but was unable to find any significant steps forward. The pair will be back on track tomorrow for the second and final day of tests in France before the next appointment for the Ducati MotoGP Team: the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello on 1st June.

Circuit Record: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha - 2008) 1’34.215
Pole record: Dani Pedrosa (Honda - 2008) 1’32.647

Marco MELANDRI

Unofficial lap times: Monday 19th May

Dani PEDROSA (Honda) 1’33.106
Valentino ROSSI (Yamaha) 1’33.661
Casey STONER (Ducati) 1’33.994 (race tyres)
Chris VERMEULEN (Suzuki) 1’34.108
John HOPKINS (Kawasaki) 1’34.484
Loris CAPIROSSI (Suzuki) 1’34.730
Nicky HAYDEN (Honda) 1’34.752
Shinya NAKANO (Honda) 1’34.911
Alex DE ANGELIS (Honda) 1’34.926
Anthony WEST (Kawasaki) 1’35.082
Marco MELANDRI (Ducati) 1’36.064 (race tyres)
Erwan NIGON (Honda) 1’37.389
Olivier JACQUE (Kawasaki) 1’37.424