A second day of post-race testing at Le Mans concluded early when the Ducati Corse engineers, studying the data in their possession, singled out the component that caused the breakdown of Casey Stoner’s engine in the Grand Prix de France. It was therefore decided not to continue with the test in the afternoon in order to avoid further damage to other engines. Engineers back at the Borgo Panigale factory will now replace the component in question before the team’s home race at Mugello in just over a week’s time. However, sunshine yesterday and today had allowed Stoner to complete the majority of work planned for this test and the Australian was straight back on the pace this morning on race tyres. Marco Melandri completed only a handful of laps today. With lower ambient and track temperatures he waited until 10:30 before taking to the track, and then he also stop at the lunchtime break, at 12:00. Unofficial lap times 20th May (just morning session) Casey STONER (Ducati) 1:34.068 Valentino ROSSI (Yamaha) 1:34.599 Erwan NIGON (Honda) 1:37.371 Marco MELANDRI (Ducati) 1:38.536 More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Rossi concludes fruitfull Le Mans test Valentino Rossi put in another valuable day’s work in Le Mans today, Sunday’s race winner completing 44 laps and setting a best time of 1:33.882. With just four riders testing today, it was a quiet day on track and Rossi and his crew made the most of the relaxed environment to continue testing tyres with Bridgestone and to try out some new settings for the M1. The Italian’s best time was set on race tyres and was an impressive 0.333 seconds quicker than the fastest lap in Sunday’s race, set by Rossi himself on his way to a memorable 90th career victory. The Fiat Yamaha Team rider will now head home to Italy to prepare for what is always one of the biggest weekends of his year, the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello on 1st June. Davide Brivio Team Manager: “It was a nice quiet day on track today and it was good to have the chance to work in such a relaxed atmosphere, without so many other riders around. We finished quite early but we managed to get a lot of important work done, both on tyres with Bridgestone and on the general set-up of our bike with the next few races in mind. We tested more different tyres and also made some experiments with different settings, trying to collect as much information as possible to help us to continue to improve. The next eight weeks brings six races in close succession and so we need to be at the top of our game! “Valentino did a very good time with a race tyre this afternoon so it’s clear we’re working well, and now we’re leaving Le Mans with some great memories and with everyone feeling positive and motivated for the busiest stage of the season. Thanks to Valentino and the team for staying on and working so hard over these two days; now I hope everyone can have a good break before our home race!” 1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team1’33.882 2. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro1’34.068 3. Erwan Nigon (FRA) HRC Test Team1’36.341 4. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro1’38.536 Le Mans record Lap: V. Rossi (Yamaha) 2008, 1’34.215 Le Mans best Lap: D. Pedrosa (Honda) 2008, 1’32.647