Saturday Morning MotoGP Practice Times/Combined Practice Times: 1. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:23.718 2. Troy Bayliss, Honda, 1:23.797, crash 3. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:24.051 4. Alex Barros, Honda, 1:24.075 5. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, 1:24.111 6. Colin Edwards, Yamaha, 1:24.169 7. Max Biaggi, Honda, 1:24.194 8. Carlos Checa, Ducati, 1:24.409 9. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 1:24.656 10. Marco Melandri, Honda, 1:24.747 11. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 1:24.964 12. Kenny Lee Roberts, Suzuki, 1:25.084 13. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 1:25.182 14. Shinya Nakano, Kawasaki, 1:25.218 15. Toni Elias, Yamaha, 1:25.449 16. Alex Hofmann, Kawasaki, 1:25.560 17. Ruben Xaus, Yamaha, 1:25.729 18. Roberto Rolfo, Ducati, 1:26.306 19. Shane Byrne, Proton, 1:26.787 20. James Ellison, Blata, 1:27.064 21. Franco Battaini, Blata, 1:29.400 More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse: DUCATI MEN MAKE PROGRESS AT LAGUNA Ducati Team rider Carlos Checa moved up to eighth fastest in this morning’s third practice session at Laguna Seca while team-mate Loris Capirossi returned from an attack of gastroenteritis to place 11th quickest. The pair are both aiming to improve their positions in this afternoon’s all-important single qualifying session. CHECA IMPROVES TO EIGHTH Tenth yesterday, Carlos Checa cut six tenths of a second off his previous best lap time to move up to eighth this morning, less than seven tenths off ‘pole position’. “I’m happy because we improved a lot from yesterday morning to the afternoon and again to this morning,” said the Spaniard. “Every time I go out I improve my feeling with the bike and my confidence with the circuit. I’ve ridden a lot of laps with the same tyres and I’m sure we won’t have any endurance problems. We have further adjusted our set-up and it seems that our bike/tyre package performs pretty well here. And I’m sure we can improve again this afternoon.” CAPIROSSI BACK ON TRACK Loris Capirossi missed much of yesterday afternoon’s practice session after being laid low by a nasty attack of gastroenteritis. The Italian Ducati Team rider was back on track this morning, trying to make up for lost time. “Luckily I’m feeling better, still not 100 per cent but definitely better,” he said. “This morning I rode a few laps to see how things were and to verify the set-up and I think it’s not too bad. I missed most of yesterday afternoon so I’ve not been able to test many tyres, so we’ll try to do that work this afternoon. Carlos is pretty fast so I can see that the Bridgestones are okay here. Hopefully I will be in full form for tomorrow, because it’s the race that counts.” More, from a press release issued by Camel Honda: Bayliss and Barros lightning quick around Laguna Seca The third free practice got underway this morning without problems or delays, and in it the Camel Honda duo confirmed they are still amongst the fastest riders at Laguna Seca and consistent with it. After an unusual first day of practice, which was spent mostly regaining confidence at the track, this morning Alex and Troy focused on the set-up of their RC211V and preparing for the crucial qualifying session this afternoon. They were consistently amongst the top group throughout the whole session, finishing with second and fourth overall, and seem to have shown that they are in the sort of shape which will see them challenging in the race tomorrow. Sito Pons Camel Honda “I’m pleased with how things are going, the whole squad is working well and both Troy and Alex have been amongst the top four throughout, and always at the top level. This means that today we should be fighting for the front row and getting a good position on the starting grid. Alex is working well on set-up and has found a fast and consistent rhythm, whilst Troy has made a huge step forward, and as always we are working 100% to get him in to position to show his talent.” Alex Barros Camel Honda 1’24.045 4th fastest “Things are progressing well, today the grip was much better, and we were able to put in some good work on the set-up. We worked on the electronics and the suspension and we have begun to choose which tyres we will use. We still haven’t tested everything we wanted to, but we’re going well, and we have some very clear ideas. I also feel a lot more comfortable than yesterday, I’ve found the necessary automatic mode for this track and am able to ride much more easily and it’s not so tiring.” Troy Bayliss Camel Honda 1’23.797 2nd fastest “I feel good, we’ve made another step forward with the race tyres this morning, and I have managed to improve my time too, going under 1’24. Just after, at the end of the session, I lost the front and slid out but it was nothing really. However we will probably try and get a better setting for the front forks because even in the early laps I wasn’t happy with how they behaved, but everything else is going well, I’m focused and confident and we’re working well.”