This morning, Nicky Hayden tested the new chassis components to make improvements to riding at Brno. During the afternoon, the World Champion started a series of tests on the new Michelin tyres, until rain stopped testing at 16:30. Hayden was able to achieve a better lap time of 1’58.42, almost three tenths faster than his laps in the race yesterday.
Dani Pedrosa has also stepped up his pace today, with a best time of 1’58.55, a 0.4 second improvement on his best time yesterday. The 21 year old Spanish driver has spent the day evaluating the new chassis of the RC212V in combination with the engine used in the race yesterday.Time permitting, Pedrosa will start testing tyres for Michelin tomorrow, before loading up the lorries, and heading to the Misano Circuit in Italy, where the San Marino Grand Prix will be held on the 2nd of September.
Nicky Hayden, 1’58.42 – 76 laps
“Today’s session has gone well. This morning, we tested some new components and worked on tuning up the bike with the new chassis. During the afternoon we have mainly tested the different Michelin tyres and were able to ride several consecutive 1’58 laps. It is always a little too late to do it on a Monday, but we have been more consistent and faster today. This afternoon we tested tyres until it started raining, and the day ended for us. Let’s see what the weather has in store for us tomorrow”.
Dani Pedrosa, 1’58.55 – 66 laps
“Today we have focused on testing new parts for the RC212V, which we could not use over the weekend. There have been no significant changes and the differences are subtle, but I think that we have got some important information from the tests. We have not taken a significant step forward, although we have some ideas about where further improvements can be made. We have focused on the chassis and the engine, so we have not tested the tyres today. If the weather improves tomorrow, we will continue with this and test the tyres”.
Unofficial lap times and tyres ( Q: qualifying tyre used)
1. Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team 1m 57.07s Q
2. John Hopkins Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1m 57.71s Q
3. Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team 1m 58.42s 76
4. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 1m 58.55s 66
5. Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1m 58.60s
6. Loris Capirossi Ducati Marlboro Team 1m 58.83s
7. Colin Edwards Fiat Yamaha Team 1m 58.90s
8. Carlos Checa LCR Honda 1m 59.08s
9. Alex Barros Pramac d’Antin Ducati 1m 59.10s
10. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 1m 59.20s
11. Randy de Puniet Kawasaki Racing Team 1m 59.35s
12. Anthony West Kawasaki Racing Team 1m 59.47s
13. Shinya Nakano Konica Minolta Honda 1m 59.78
14. Sylvain Guintoli Tech 3 Yamaha 1m 59.80s
15. Makoto Tamada Tech 3 Yamaha 2m 00.23s
16. Kurtis Roberts Team Roberts 2m 00.31s
