MotoGP Test
It was another difficult day for the MotoGP riders and crew of Team San Carlo Honda Gresini. Marco Melandri continued his attempts to understand and interpret his new Honda RC212V but he was unable to find the right path to go on, eventually suffering a slight crash, which fortunately he escaped unharmed from although the bike was virtually destroyed.
Marco Simoncelli suffered the same kinds of issues, trying all kinds of things but not finding a solution that allowed him to improve the rideability of his bike. Disappointment and worry are the main emotions just a few days before the first race, but the team is still convinced that their total commitment alongside Honda´s support is going to be the only way to get out of a less than desirable situation.
Marco Melandri Quote ( 64 laps 1´ 57″ 222)
“I´m a bit bitter and disappointed because we´ve tried practically everything but nothing has helped us get on the right track. None of the changes gave encouraging results and our work was just being wasted. A crash further complicated things with the bike being completely wrecked.”
“I don´t think that it´s just our problem though because I can see that virtually all the Honda riders have similar problems to us. The first race will soon be upon us and the current situation is quite worrying. We need total commitment all round to find the answers and overcome this tough moment.”
Marco Simoncelli Quote (56 laps 1´ 57″ 379)
“It´s been really hard work, we´ve tried all sorts of things but we haven´t found one which helps us move forwards. At this clearly difficult moment in time I don´t believe that my lack of experience in MotoGP is relevant. I can see that other Honda riders are also having more or less the same problems so I believe that together we must all roll up our sleeves to get out of this low point.”
Fausto Gresini Quote
“I can do no more than confirm what I said yesterday: There´s a lot of work still to do, it´s not going to be easy but I am convinced that with the determination which sets us apart and the commitment from Honda we will find the right way.”
“I´m obviously worried today and to see that despite all the work and the commitment from the technicians we have made no progress, I am quite disappointed. As always I still believe in Honda´s prowess and its ability to react and I hope that it is decisive at this difficult moment.”
MotoGP Overall Test Times (combined fastest times from the two days)
1) Casey Stoner – Ducati Team – 1m55.353s (Fri)
2) Valentino Rossi – Fiat Yamaha Team – 1m55.402s (Thu) +0.049s
3) Andrea Dovizioso – Repsol Honda Team – 1m55.879s (Fri) +0.526s
4) Ben Spies – Monster Yamaha Tech – 31m55.954s (Thu) +0.601s
5) Nicky Hayden – Ducati Team – 1m56.115s (Fri) +0.762s
6) Loris Capirossi – Rizla Suzuki MotoGP – 1m56.195s (Fri) +0.842s
7) Jorge Lorenzo – Fiat Yamaha Team – 1m56.504s (Fri) +1.151s
8) Randy de Puniet – LCR Honda MotoGP – 1m56.504s (Fri) +1.151s
9) Colin Edwards – Monster Yamaha Tech – 31m56.540s (Thu)+1.187s
10) Mika Kallio – Pramac Racing – 1m56.767s (Fri) +1.414s
11) Aleix Espargaro – Pramac Racing – 1m56.897s (Fri) +1.544s
12) Alvaro Bautista – Rizla Suzuki MotoGP – 1m56.898s (Fri) +1.545s
13) Dani Pedrosa – Repsol Honda Team – 1m56.935s (Fri) +1.582s
14) Marco MelandriSan – Carlo Honda Gresini – 1m57.222s (Fri) +1.869s
15) Hector Barbera – Paginas Amarillas Aspar – 1m57.223s (Fri) +1.870s16
16) Hiroshi Aoyama – Interwetten Honda MotoGP – 1m57.251s (Fri) +1.898s
17) Marco Simoncelli – San – Carlo Honda Gresini – 1m57.379s (Fri) +2.026s
