MARCO MELANDRI SETS THE FASTEST TIME AT MUGELLO Positive day of testing for the Fortuna Honda riders at Mugello the day after the Grand Prix of Italy, an event followed yesterday by 90.000 spectators on the hills of the circuit and 7.902.000 at home on TV with 50,90% of share. Marco Melandri lapped with a good rhythm and scored today’s fastest time (1’49″75), 3 tenths below the track record (1’50″117 Max Biaggi year 2005). The Italian rider worked in order to improve the handling of the bike in the change of directions. He was satisfied of the results and found some good set up solutions. Important day of work for Marco’s team mate Toni Elias who focused of the set up of the bike in order to solve the difficulties met in the last three races. MARCO MELANDRI (1’49″75, 64 laps): “I’m very satisfied because today we have done a step forward. I think we have created a good base and I’m very confident for the next races, three rounds in a row. Today we worked to improve the handling of the bike in the change of directions, I lapped with a good rhythm, setting also today’s fastest time. I look forward to race in Barcelona in two weeks, I’m ready for the next challenge.” TONI ELIAS (1’51″690, 52 laps): “we have worked a lot on the set up of the bike and we have done a step forward even if we are still not where we should be. I’m not satisfied with my lap time but I’m happy of the work done today. We still have a lot of work to do in order to be ready for the next race, the GP of Catalunya. I look forward to racing in front of my public.” UNOFFICIAL LAP TIMES 1. M. Melandri (Ita/Honda) 1’49″75 2. N.Hayden (Usa(Honda) 1’50″1 3. D.Pedrosa (Sp/Honda) 1’50″58 4. V.Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 1’50″70 5. C.Edwards (Usa/Yamaha) 1’50″70 6. S.Gibernau (Sp/Ducati) 1’50″70 7. J.Hopkins (Usa/Suzuki) 1’50″70 8. Tamada (Jap /Honda) 1’50″70 9. L.Capirossi (Ita/Ducati) 1’50″77 10. k.Roberts jr.(usa/KR Honda) 1’50″80 11. C.Vermeulen (Aus/Suzuki) 1’50″90 12. Nakano (Jap/Kawasaki) 1’51″4 13. T.Elias (Sp/Honda) 1’51″69