The San Carlo Gresini Honda team were again in top form in today’s IRTA ‘Official’ pre-season MotoGP test shoot out with Shinya Nakano working off the dry weather base set up of yesterday.
Japanese star Nakano came into the pit early in the session to soften up the suspension slightly before returning to the track to set sixth fastest time in the shoot-out.
Alex De Angelis on the second San Carlo liveried RC212V Honda ended the day with 11th fastest time oneSecond down on his team-mate. De Angelis is another MotoGP debutante in 2008 and has performed above expectation during winter testing.
The Sanmarinese spent today’s wet session finding a good base setting for wet conditions not wishing to go into the new season with no experience of the RCV on a wet track surface chasing a fast time was not on his programme.
Shinya Nakano, San Carlo, Honda Gresini: 1m 51.594s – on lap 11 of 16.
“The wet session gave us the chance to test some different sets of tyres, some soft and some medium, and get ready for the time challenge in the afternoon. When the time came to attack and try to post a fast time we had a good pace but the track started to dry. Just at the decisive moment I ran into some traffic and if it wasn’t for that I could have done better than sixth place. I’m happy though because this new bike is a big improvement.”
Alex De Angelis, San Carlo, Honda Gresini: 1m 52.463s – on lap 10 of 13.
“I’m happy because it was important for me to get some laps under my belt in the wet – it could have been really difficult for me turning up at the first race without any experience in the rain. Today’s test gave us the chance to gather some telemetric data that can help us set the bike up to my riding style in the wet. So all in all it’s been a positive day, I’m feeling better on the bike every day and I’m improving my feeling with the team.”
Lap Times:
1. Casey Stoner - Ducati Marlboro 1:49.263
2. Valentino Rossi - Fiat Yamaha 1:50.580
3. Nicky Hayden - Repsol Honda 1:50.785
4. Antony West - Kawasaki 1:50.799
5. Andrea Dovizioso - Jir Team Scot 1:51.312
6. Shinya Nakano - San Carlo Honda 1:51.594
7. Loris Capirossi - Rizla Suzuki 1:51.894
8. Randy DePuniet - Lcr Honda
9. Sylvain Guintoli - Alice team 1:52.058
10. Marco Melandri - Marlboro Ducati 1:52.238
Free Practice conditions:
Temp: 15°c
Weather: RAIN
Humidity: 12°c
Circuit Lenght: 4423 M.
