Gresini Racing Qatar test notes 2008-02-29

FINAL TEST ENDS AHEAD OF GRAND OPENING

The second and final evening of testing concluded in Doha, Qatar, last night. After spending the first part of the test putting together impressive race times, both Team San Carlo Honda Gresini riders used the final few hours to improve the set-up of their machines in race trim, reacting to the constant changes in temperature and humidity. Alex De Angelis and Shinya Nakano both crashed but escaped without serious consequences.

Alex de Angelis (60 laps, 1.56.249): "I'm happy with the race pace we found in the opening part of this final test session. The problem is that from 10 o'clock onwards it starts to get really cold and humid. The track conditions change a lot and I crashed. Luckily I wasn't badly hurt -- I've got some pain in my right forearm but generally I'm okay. I'm optimistic for the race although we'll have to pay attention over the first few laps because it takes a while for the tyres to get up to the right temperature."

Shinya Nakano (71 laps, 1.56.704): "I've worked a lot on refining my setting for the race. We had a good base setting until the conditions changed and when I tried to push a little harder to improve the lap time I crashed on the humid track. That interrupted the race simulation we were carrying out and actually made for an early end to the session. I didn't pick up any serious injuries and a few days' rest will be enough to prepare for the race."

Fausto Gresini -- Team Manager: "I'm happy with Alex's lap times in his race simulation -- he went well. On the qualifier he tried to push a bit harder but the front closed on him and he crashed, which is a shame. In general we have managed to find a good pace on race tyres but we know that we have to improve on qualifiers. We have arranged a technical meeting to discuss the set-up we will need for next weekend but we are confident. Alex has done a good job whilst Shinya had a few more problems and has room for improvement. It's a shame about the two crashes because we didn't need them."

-credit: gresiniracing.com