Gresini Racing Valencia test summary

HARD WORK AND FAST TIMES FOR SIMONCELLI AT VALENCIA

Marco Simoncelli returned to the track at 11 this morning to continue testing at Valencia and the Italian set a fast pace from the outset, clocking a sensational lap time on just his fourth effort, although small crash midway through the morning slowed his progress somewhat. With new suspension, seat ergonomics and other technical details to test with a view to 2011, it has been a demanding couple of days for "Super Sic" and his crew. However, with Simoncelli as determined as ever he was consistently able to match the speed of the best riders on track, as he has done throughout an exceptional finish to the season. It was also another positive day for Hiroshi Aoyama, who is already adapting to the working methods of Team San Carlo Honda Gresini and making good progress.

Marco Simoncelli (4th 1'32" 450 -- 63 laps) "That was a great day. We worked a lot on a new shock and choosing the suspension for next year. We also managed to experiment with my position on the bike and did some tyre tests at the end of the day. It has been a very positive test overall, we have been fast and consistent and I am delighted with it. Unfortunately I have had a couple of little crashes -- the first one caused by a bump and the other simply because I was leaned over too far and I crashed at 35km/h. The first one set us back but it doesn't take anything away from the fact that I am leaving Valencia feeling extremely satisfied."

Hiroshi Aoyama (12th 1'33" 105 -- 83 laps) "I am really happy to have finished this second day of the test with a good feeling with the bike. I am satisfied with the work we have done, trying out different setting solutions and some different tyres. It has been a positive day overall. By the end I got really confident with the bike and I was able to improve my lap time from qualifying at the weekend. I feel good with the team and we are already working well together so I think that when we start working even closer at Sepang we'll take another step forward and soon be ready to race."

-source: motogp