Gresini Racing Phillip Island test notes 2008-01-30

DAY 1 TEST PHILLIP ISLAND

Phillip Island -- First day of the opening test in Phillip Island with positive results for Team Honda Gresini. Alex De Angelis, finally back to shape after suffering from tendinitis at his right arm in Malaysia last week, ended third overall on race tyres. Japanese Shinya Nakano, 2 tenths slower than his team mate, focused on improving his feeling with the new bike and trying to reduce his chattering problems. Great satisfaction for the whole team at the end of the day.

ALEX DE ANGELIS, 70 laps, best time1.30.688

"I feel really great today, the pain in my right arm is just a bad memory. Not only, today I immediately felt at ease since I stepped on my bike: I like this track very much and the weather conditions were perfect for testing. I was quick since the beginning and slowly improved during the day. Each test is a chance for me to stay with my new team and get to know them, I already feel at home. I also quickly adapted to my Honda bike, although I believe there are still plenty of things we need to try: we will keep on working hard in the next two days."

SHINYA NAKANO, 91 laps, best time 1'31"111

"I think I did a great job today, I made many laps trying to solve some of the problems we had last week in Sepang, especially chattering. We are close to the solution now after some small changes to the fork and to the bike set up. I feel in great shape and I realized this at the end of the day when I was able to produce my best time although conditions weren't the best anymore."

FAUSTO GRESINI, team manager, stated: "I am very pleased with my team's work today. I was impressed both by Alex, who set some quick laps with race tyres and also by Nakano, detemined to set a fast lap despite unfavourable conditions towards the end of the day. Definitly a good start, I am really proud of their work."

-credit: gresiniracing.com