VERY POSITIVE TEST SESSION FOR MELANDRI AND ELIAS AT LE MANS After the success of yesterday with Marco Melandri storming to the second step of the podium in a dramatic race which was interrupted by rain. Today the Gresini Honda riders came back to work for a 2-day test session at Le Mans. TONI ELIAS (58 laps, 1’35″2): “Today the weather conditions were changeable. We needed to test on dry so we waited the sun to start some tyre testing. We also worked on chassis and suspensions to improve the setting of the bike. I’m happy, we are working in the right direction and Bridgestone is helping us a lot”. MARCO MELANDRI (66 laps, 1’35″7): “This morning we completed around 20 laps on wet, then, in the afternoon when the track started to dry, we tested different fork solutions to improve the feeling with the front. I’m satisfied, tomorrow we will confirm the work done and we will do some tyre testing”. More, from a press release issued by Marlboro Ducati: UNCERTAIN WEATHER AFTER FRENCH GP BUT STONER AND CAPIROSSI HAPPY WITH TODAY’S TESTING After yesterday’s rain-lashed French GP uncertain weather conditions kept everyone guessing until 4.30pm when finally the sun came out at Le Mans today. This morning was cloudy and the track was still damp from overnight rain and though the circuit did start to dry another sprinkling of rain threatened to ruin the Ducati Marlboro Team’s test schedule. From 4pm track conditions were good enough for Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi to complete today’s test program that included evaluation of a new generation of Bridgestone front and rear tyres. The Ducati Marlboro Team is next back on track at its home GP – the Alice Italian Grand Prix at Mugello – from June 1 to June 3. Casey Stoner ( 44 laps) Best lap: 1’35.037 “This morning it looked like the weather was going to make fun of us again and I really think we had already had enough rain yesterday! Finally the track dried out and we were able to complete the tests we had planned. We focused on testing tyres, found several that we like and gave the Bridgestone technicians our feedback so that we can make the best possible preparations for Mugello, which is one of my favourite racetracks”. Loris Capirossi ( 53 laps) Best lap: 1’35.401 “I’m happy with today’s testing. We tried several fronts and rears and we found out some very interesting things. We also worked on engine mapping and traction control, making useful steps forward that make me confident for Mugello. I love Mugello because it suits my riding style a lot better than Le Mans. I have always had good results at the Italian GP and I want to keep that going this year.”