MotoGP
Ducati Team Sepang test notes 2008-01-24
STONER LEAVES MALAYSIA SATISFIED AS MELANDRI EYES IMPROVEMENTS The third and final day of MotoGP tests ended early at Sepang for Casey Stoner, who completed his 27th and final lap of the Malaysian circuit with his GP8 at precisely 12:26pm. With ...
Published: Jan 25, 2008, 8:19 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
STONER LEAVES MALAYSIA SATISFIED AS MELANDRI EYES IMPROVEMENTS
The third and final day of MotoGP tests ended early at Sepang for Casey Stoner, who completed his 27th and final lap of the Malaysian circuit with his GP8 at precisely 12:26pm. With his test programme complete and some extremely fast laps under his belt - clocking a best time on race tyres of 2'00.964 and a 2'00.660 on qualifiers - the World Champion and his team decided to draw a line under the first session of 2008 and also give Stoner's recovering shoulder a well-earned rest. Marco Melandri started the day with a good pace, improving almost immediately by around half a second on yesterday, before trying a variety of new ideas, none of which came up with the desired result. The Italian youngster is, however, developing a good feeling with the team and remains confident that the solutions to his current difficulties will be resolved with continued hard work.
The Ducati Marlboro Team now head to Phillip Island, Australia, for another three days of testing from January 30 to February 1 inclusive.
Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro Team), best time on race tyres: 2'00.964; best time on qualifiers: 2'00.660 (27 laps)
"We couldn't have started the year better! My shoulder feels better every day and now I know I can get back to full training. This morning we tried some qualifying tyres on only our second run out. We set a good lap time although I think if we'd have tried them a little later, when the track was warmer, we could have broken the two-minute mark. In fact, at the end of the morning we set a 2'00.964 on race tyres, which is over a second inside the lap record we set in September. It shows that we are working well and that both the bike and tyres are improving. I'm leaving Sepang feeling really happy - partly because my shoulder hasn't given me too many problems and partly because I feel even more competitive than last season. Now we have to focus on this season and on getting the best possible start, so I can't wait to continue testing at Phillip Island. I also want to send my best wishes to Dani! I'm sure this injury won't affect him too much. Back in 2006 I missed most of the winter tests and I still started the season competitive so I'm sure he will too because he was looking really strong out here."
Marco Melandri (Ducati Marlboro Team), best time: 2'02.725 (58 laps)
"This morning we started out on the right foot and my lap times weren't bad. Then we decided to experiment with a few new avenues to try and improve my feeling but we got a bit lost! It's a shame but at least I'm getting to understand the bike and the way the team works more and more each day. I feel really comfortable with my chief engineer and I'm sure that we'll find the solutions to the problems we're having right now. I didn't use a qualifier because if you're not ready for them there's no point. I did try a new race tyre though and in my opinion it's a good step forward. I can't say I'm happy but we'll keep working to find the best way forward for me."
-credit: ducati.com
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article World Champ Giacomo Agostini to be Honored
Next article Kawasaki partners with Monster Energy drink
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Marco Melandri
Melandri steps down from Barni Ducati WSBK ride
World Superbike
World Superbike
Melandri steps down from Barni Ducati WSBK ride
“Regenerated” Melandri back in WSBK with Barni Ducati
World Superbike
World Superbike
“Regenerated” Melandri back in WSBK with Barni Ducati
Davies ill-suited to Ducati V4, says Melandri
World Superbike
World Superbike
Davies ill-suited to Ducati V4, says Melandri
More from
Ducati Team
Pedro Acosta: "I'm going to Ducati to learn from Marc Marquez, not to beat him on same bike"
MotoGP
MotoGP
Indonesian GP
16 h
Pedro Acosta: "I'm going to Ducati to learn from Marc Marquez, not to beat him on same bike"
Ducati rubbishes claim 2026 MotoGP bike built specifically for Marc Marquez
MotoGP
MotoGP
Indonesian GP
Ducati rubbishes claim 2026 MotoGP bike built specifically for Marc Marquez
Latest news
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 2 h
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
2 h
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
2 h
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
9 h
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe