ROSSI, PEDROSA 1-2 IN JEREZ TESTING; HAYDEN TIED FOR FIFTH ON DUCATI INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, Nov. 28, 2008 Red Bull Indianapolis GP winner Valentino Rossi put an exclamation mark on his 2008 MotoGP championship season, edging rival Dani Pedrosa to lead the final test of 2008 on Nov. 26-27 at Jerez, Spain. Six-time MotoGP World Champion Rossi was quickest at 1 minute, 39.429 seconds on his Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha, with Pedrosa just behind at 1:39.447 on a 2009 prototype Repsol Honda Team Honda. Rossi’s teammate, Jorge Lorenzo, was third at 1:40.426. Rossi alternated between his 2008 bike and a prototype of the 2009 machine on which he will defend his world title, and Red Bull Indianapolis GP victory Aug. 30 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “We worked a lot on the new bike and tried some different parts to yesterday, including for the engine, and we were quite fast,” Rossi said. “It seems we’re going in the right direction with this new bike, and I am happy about this. I think these first tests with the one-tire rule have been quite positive and Bridgestone have done a good job so far, although for sure they will have a difficult job to decide which tire for which track.” American Nicky Hayden was tied for fifth overall with Alex de Angelis at 1:40.486 on his Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati. It was Hayden’s second test with his new team, for which he will debut in 2009 after six seasons with Repsol Honda. 2006 World Champion Hayden made big gains on the second day, shaving more than 1.5 seconds from his opening-day best of 1:42.098. “Today my feeling with the bike was much better from the first run,” Hayden said. “We are still a second off the top guys, and I know the last second is the most difficult to find. But at the same time, we’re less than a tenth off third fastest, and the team is working well. I feel more and more comfortable with the bike and tires, and I can head home with a clear mind.” Hayden’s new teammate, 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner, attended the test to watch despite recuperating from recent wrist surgery. American Colin Edwards was eighth overall at 1:40.604 on a Tech 3 Yamaha. Eight teams and 14 riders participated in the two-day test, with the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP and Kawasaki Racing teams electing to test for three days this week at Phillip Island, Australia. *** 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets: The second annual Red Bull Indianapolis GP is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 30, two weeks earlier than this year’s date. A three-day event ticket for a reserved seat or general admission can be renewed online at the Tickets section at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com. Fans also can request an upgrade of their reserved Race Day tickets at the Tickets section. Ticket applications for new customers also are being accepted. New customers are encouraged to order early to secure the best available seats.