The second and final day of testing at Catalunya concluded today, with the teams getting their final opportunity to run back-to-back tests with a Grand Prix until the end of August at Brno.
It has been a crucially important test for the Ducati Marlboro Team, with both their factory riders getting the chance to try technical developments aimed at the 2009 season. It has also been a hugely positive tyre and set-up test for Casey Stoner with his current machine, the GP8. In spite of less-than-perfect track conditions caused by light but intermittent rain showers, the Australian was able to try some new electronic solutions and set an excellent pace, clocking the fastest time of the day with a 1'42.180 lap on race tyres.
As planned Marco Melandri completed his first laps with the GP9, on which he made four runs, with a best time on race tyres of 1'46.163
In the afternoon development of the GP9 was taken up by Ducati test riders Vittoriano Guareschi and Niccolò Canepa, the youngster who has been signed up this season to aid with Bridgestone tyre development.
Canepa, on his first visit to Barcelona, completed four runs on the GP9 and set a best time of 1'43.683 before rain began to fall again at 17.00, effectively ending the test.
Vittoriano continued his development work on the GP9 with 31 laps and a best time of 1.47.022
Casey Stoner Best lap on race tyres: 1'42.180
"I'm happy that despite the conditions not being as good as yesterday we have managed to complete the work we had planned with the GP8. We were able to try a new electronic configuration that noticeably improved my feeling in the corners where we had problems over the weekend. Even though the track wasn't in good shape because of the rain we still set good lap times and I can leave Barcelona feeling satisfied and confident that we're working well for the present and for the future."
Marco MelandriBest lap on race tyres: 1'46.1
"Today I completed a few laps on the GP9, which definitely has some positive aspects whilst in other ways it is similar to the GP8. That's why for me it's difficult to get a good feeling for it."
Unofficial lap times: 10th June 20081. Stoner (Ducati) 1'42.180 2. Dovizioso (Honda) 1'42.222
3. Hayden (Honda) 1'42.555
4. Vermeulen (Suzuki) 1'42.590
5. De Puniet (Honda) 1'43.039
6. Canepa (Ducati) 1'43.683 7. Guintoli (Ducati) 1'44.074
8. Elias (Ducati) 1'44.538
9. Aoki (Suzuki) 1'44.665
10. Jacque (Kawasaki) 1'44.938
11. Nigon (Honda) 1'45.181
12. Melandri (Ducati) 1.46.163 13. Guareschi (Ducati) 1.47.022
