From a press release issued by JiR Team Scot: Rain doesn’t stop play for JiR Team Scot at Phillip Island Rain affected today’s second day of MotoGP testing around the 2.764-mile Phillip Island circuit. In the morning conditions were wet, meaning that the JiR Team Scot squad spent the time constructively giving team rider Andrea Dovizioso his first proper taste of the Honda RC212V in wet conditions. This gave the team some important information on how to set up the 800cc MotoGP machine for the tricky conditions. In the afternoon conditions improved slightly, but overall the day was still seen as very positive as the 21-year-old Italian was able to better understand the technical package at his disposal with which he will compete with in this year’s MotoGP championship. Andrea Dovizioso Rider, JiR Team Scot MotoGP HONDA RC212V – Laps: 60 Time 3th: 1’31″074 “After our very positive first day I can also have that feeling again today, despite the weather and a small crash! Again, the main thing is that Phillip Island has never been my favourite track because the layout of the track is complicated and there are so many elevation changes. Also, the thing about this layout is that it’s close to the sea so you can imagine how slippery it can be. Also, the strong winds you get here play a part of in dictating the track conditions, so you can imagine overall how tricky it can be to ride here in less than perfect conditions! Still, overall we are satisfied at the result we achieved today and the feeling from the Honda on Michelin tyre is very good. I was fast in wet conditions with lap times very close to the times you would expect in wet races here, so I am happy. In the afternoon the racetrack was drier but the temperature was particularly low, but we know conditions will be better tomorrow one day of rain is enough thank you!” Pietro Caprara Technical Director, JiR Team Scot “Today was a day which started bad but ended very well. There is no rider that loves riding in the wet, but for us it was a very important day to better know and understand the bike and see how it works in the wet conditions and see what kind of feedback we get from changing the settings in these conditions. Nevertheless it was important to allow us to better know the Honda RC212V in these slippery and difficult conditions and the results we saw today were very positive. Only a few riders ventured out of the pits today, but we showed that the lap-times we were doing allowed us to be second for most of the day, very close to Casey Stoner’s times. We changed the schedule of the day to fine- tune the bike in these conditions and I have to say we now have a lot of information, which will be important for the whole championship when we encounter similar weather conditions. Andrea crashed at slow speed today, but we weren’t worried the only damage to the bike was dirt on the fairing so that made the mechanics happy, as they didn’t have extra work to do, so well done Andrea! We have another important day tomorrow and much work to do, so we are hoping that the weather will improve.” MotoGP Phillip Island test Day 2 1) Casey Stoner Ducati 1′ 29″938 2) Alex De Angelis Honda 1’30″449 3) Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1’31″074 4) Shinya Nakano Honda 1’31″316 5) Nicky Hayden Honda 1’31″373 More, from a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki: Capirossi gets first taste of the Rizla Suzuki in the wet Rizla Suzuki MotoGP’s new signing Loris Capirossi got his first chance to ride the Suzuki GSV-R in wet conditions during today’s test at Phillip Island in Australia. Steady rain throughout the morning at the 4.4km circuit gave the riders and crew perfect wet weather testing conditions and they made the most of it by trying the new 2008 Suzuki GSV-R in the wet for the first time. Capirossi and team-mate Chris Vermeulen were both pleased with the bike’s performance in the damp conditions and collected valuable data for future rain affected races. Capirossi and Vermeulen were also able to get in some dry testing after about an hour-and-a-half waiting for the track to dry – and the two Rizla Suzuki racers wasted no time by getting down to some in-depth tyre testing with Bridgestone and finding the best settings and mapping for the bike at the Phillip Island track. Due to the delay Capirossi and Vermeulen only managed to complete 62 and 50 laps respectively today. The Italian clocked a fastest time of 1’31.545 to give him eighth place on the timesheets and Vermeulen recorded a best lap of 1’31.774 for 11th position. Capirossi suffered a crash at the end of the day, but he walked away from the incident unhurt and will be fit to join Vermeulen for the final day of the test tomorrow. Loris Capirossi: “I was able to ride the bike in the wet today for the first time and for me the feeling was good right away. We changed some settings and made some more adjustments and by the time the track started to dry we think we have a good set-up for the rain. As it dried in the afternoon we were able to test a couple of bits and we went well on the race tyres, even though the track was not in the best condition because of the weather earlier. I put on a qualifier at the end of the day, but unfortunately I crashed. I am ok and will be able to continue with the test tomorrow.” Chris Vermeulen: “It has been a positive day today – although my position is not where I would want to be – we got through a lot of work and have a definite direction we want to go in. We had a good run in the rain this morning and know where we need to be in the wet. When it dried out we did some tyre testing and continued to get the best set-up we can for here, and we are now closer to getting there than we have been before, we have made some big steps forward! We still have some way to go to get the bike to be as competitive as we want it for this track, but what the guys have produced over the last couple of days has really made that target closer.” Phillip Island Test Day Two Classification: 1. Casey Stoner (Ducati) 1’29.938: 2. Alex De Angelis (Honda) +0.511: 3. Andrea Dovizioso +1.136: 4. Shinya Nakano (Honda) +1.378: 5. Nicky Hayden (Honda) +1.435: 8. LORIS CAPIROSSI (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +1.607: 10. CHRIS VERMEULEN (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +1.836: More, from a press release issued by Marlboro Ducati: STONER GETS EVEN FASTER AS MELANDRI CONTINUES TO ADAPT The second day of MotoGP tests at Phillip Island started out in wet conditions today, with intermittent light showers continuing until lunch at one o’clock. Both Ducati Marlboro Team riders took the opportunity to try different things, Stoner completing 11 laps on the damp track to confirm the performance of his latest engine spec in these conditions whilst Marco Melandri enjoyed positive feedback from the GP8 as he rode it for the first time in the wet, completing 35 laps. The sunshine dried the track in the afternoon and the test continued with Stoner in great form, the World Champion breaking the 1’30 mark on race tyres – some four tenths inside the circuit record set in 2005 by a 990cc machine – despite the cold and imperfect track conditions. Melandri was able to resume work on his set-up, concentrating principally on weight distribution as he continues his adaptation to the GP8. Weather forecasts are better for tomorrow, the final day of the session. Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro Team), best time: 1’29.938 (45 laps) “Today I set my fastest lap on tyres that had 22 laps on them and that is really positive because it means that the modifications we tried on the set-up have had the desired effect, which was to increase tyre durability. This also allows us to consider using softer tyres, at least in the odd race. This morning I went out twice for just 5 laps each to verify engine response, which is now smoother at the bottom end; everything worked brilliantly and I’m really pleased. The track conditions were never perfect but with some changes to the rear suspension we were able to set some fast times, all of them on race tyres. I think it will be possible to repeat those times in the race here too because the new Bridgestones are even better than the ones we used last year. Hopefully the weather is good tomorrow so that we can complete a race simulation.” Marco Melandri (Ducati Marlboro Team), best time: 1’31.478 (80 laps) “Today was really tough – we did 80 laps in total, 35 of them in the wet. It was the first opportunity I’ve had to test the Ducati in the wet and even though it was just a case of getting a few laps in to get used to it, I felt really comfortable by the end. In the afternoon, when the track had dried out, we continued with the work we had started yesterday, concentrating on weight distribution. I feel as though the balance of the bike is noticeably improved, on both the front and rear, and I can push harder through the corners. I did a lot of laps on used tyres and the feeling continues to improve. We’ve been able to confirm that my riding style is completely different to Casey’s and I have to work hard with my crew to find the best way forward for me.” Phillip Island info Circuit Record: Marco Melandri (Honda – 2005) 1’30.332 Best pole: Nicky Hayden (Honda – 2006) 1’29.020 Fastest lap GP 2007: Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1’30.801 Pole 2007: Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 1’29.201 Unofficial lap times 31/01/2008 1. Casey STONER (Ducati) 1:29.938 2. Alex DE ANGELIS (Honda) 1:30.449 3. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (Honda) 1:31.074 4. Shinya NAKANO (Honda) 1:31.316 5. Nicky HAYDEN (Honda) 1:31.373 6. James TOSELAND (Yamaha) 1:31.451 7. Marco MELANDRI (Ducati) 1:31.478 8. Loris CAPIROSSI (Suzuki) 1:31.545 9. Randy DE PUNIET (Honda) 1:31.575 10. Colin EDWARDS (Yamaha) 1:31.593 11. Chris VERMEULEN (Suzuki) 1:31.774 12. Anthony WEST (Kawasaki) 1:32.242 13. Toni ELIAS (Ducati) 1:32.246 14. Sylvain GUINTOLI (Ducati) 1:32.431 15. John HOPKINS (Kawasaki) 1:42.130 More, from a press release issued by Repsol Media Service: NICKY HAYDEN AND THE REPSOL HONDA TEAM CONTINUE TO PRACTICE IN THE AUSTRALIAN RAIN Hayden took advantage of an excellent opportunity to test the new RC212V in the wet on Phillip Island Morning rainfall at Phillip Island today gave Nicky Hayden the opportunity to evaluate his 2008 Repsol Honda RC212V for the first time in the rain. The 2006 MotoGP World Champion took to the wet track at 11am, tak ing the opportunity to get a feel for the V4 in low-grip conditions. The rain stopped at lunch time but the track wasn’t dry enough to continue with dry track testing until 3.40pm when Hayden returned to action on slicks. Hayden had a very productive day and was happy with the bike’s performance in the rain. His dry-track pace was similar to yesterday’s despite cooler conditions and less traction following the rainfall. Tomorrow he will continue working on chassis settings and testing more tyres. Quotes MotoGP Nicky Hayden >> fastest lap: 1m 31.373s (lap 71 of 72) “You know, we get a lot more dry races than wet, so the dry’s more important, but we’ve got to be ready for everything, so today was useful. We were able to check the bike in the wet and make a few little adjustments. Conditions stayed stable long enough to do that, which a lot of times in the rain is hard, you know, it’s dry, it’s wet, it’s pouring, it’s deep water, but today it stayed pretty stable so we got to check some stuff. The general feeling in the wet was okay, then in the afternoon it dried out enough to get some dry lap times. My best time was about the same as I did yesterday, I wasn’t able to improve, though conditions were a little bit cooler and not as good today, so I think that’s a positive. We’re not where we need to be on race pace consistently. I tried to test a few tyres today but at the moment we’re struggling for traction on the edge. So we need to have a meeting tonight with Michelin and maybe try something completely different. We struggled a bit here when we were here for the race, so we need to definitely address the problem tomorrow. We get one more day at it and hopefully the weather looks a lot better, so we’ll co me in here and try to make a big step forward.” More, from a press release issued by Honda: MotoGP test Phillip Island Australia. Day two of three-day test, January 31, 2008. Alex De Angelis and Gresini Racing again fastest Honda RCV rider at Phillip Island MotoGP test The rain came to Phillip Island on the morning of the second day of the three-day MotoGP test. Despite the rain easing off at lunchtime the track surface did not dry completely out until mid-afternoon. The day was not a wash out as the Honda riders took the opportunity to test their 2008 spec RCV’s in wet conditions for the first time. However, once the track had dried it was the Gresini Honda teamsters, Alex De Angelis and Shinya Nakano who set the pace for the RCV riders to chase. De Angelis has impressed since he moved up to MotoGP level following his third place in the 250cc championship last season. The young Sanmarinese was fastest RCV man on the Island for the second successive day ending with second best lap time of the day. De Angelis loves the fast flowing layout of the Phillip Island circuit as his performance indicates. He spent time learning the characteristics of his new charge in the wet making slight chassis adjustments to his RCV before moving on to test a range of Bridgestone race tyres when the track dried. Shinya Nakano was as pleased with progress as his teammate and worked on machine geometry and the front forks while also undergoing more testing with the teams new Nissin brakes. Both Nakano and De Angelis will spend the final day of the three-day test working on general machine set up. Andrea Dovizioso was fast in both wet and dry conditions aboard his JiR Scot Honda RC212V despite a slow speed crash. The young Italian, former 125cc World Champion and runner up in the 250cc series last year, ended the day in third place on the time sheets as he continued to adapt his riding style to suit the big 800cc four-stroke Honda. LCR Honda rider Randy De Puniet was very happy with the RCV in wet weather testing his first time on the Honda in the wet and the Ohlins suspension finding good rear end grip from all areas of the tyre. On the dry track surface De Puniet struggled for grip mid corner and on the exit while running with the same dry machine set up he used at the end of a dry day one. The team has several basic set up options to try on the final day of the test tomorrow and is confident they can help Frenchman De Puniet improve both his feeling with the RCV and his lap times. Alex De Angelis, Gresini Honda: 1.30.449s 54 laps. “I’m satisfied of today’s test session, finishing with the second fastest time is a satisfaction. This morning we started in wet conditions, but in the afternoon the track dried out and things improved. We worked on the cycle parts to improve traction. We only tested race tyres and my rhythm was good. Tomorrow we will test some new tyres and hope to make another step forward. I feel much better than at Sepang, my results on track prove this”. Andrea Dovizioso, JiR Scot Honda: 1m 31.074s 60 laps. “After our very positive first day I can also have that feeling again today, despite the weather and a small crash! Again, the main thing is that Phillip Island has never been my favourite track because the layout of the track is complicated and there are so many elevation changes. Also, the thing about this layout is that it’s close to the sea so you can imagine how slippery it can be. Also, the strong winds you get here play a part of in dictating the track conditions, so you can imagine overall how tricky it can be to ride here in less than perfect conditions! Still, overall we are satisfied at the result we achieved today and the feeling from the Honda on Michelin tyre is very good. I was fast in wet conditions with lap times very close to the times you would expect in wet races here, so I am happy. In the afternoon the racetrack was drier but the temperature was particularly low, but we know conditions will be better tomorrow one day of rain is enough thank you!” Shinya Nakano, Gresini Honda: 1m 31.316s 74 laps. “I’m happy of the work done today even if I haven’t improved my lap time of yesterday. I kept on working on the general set up: geometry, forks and Nissin brakes. It was an intensive programme but it was worth it. I have found a good feeling and I have fun riding, this is very important for a rider. Tomorrow we will keep on working on the new Honda RC212V”. Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 1m 31.373s 72 laps “You know, we get a lot more dry races than wet, so the dry’s more important, but we’ve got to be ready for everything, so today was useful. We were able to check the bike in the wet and make a few little adjustments. Conditions stayed stable long enough to do that, which a lot of times in the rain is hard, you know, it’s dry, it’s wet, it’s pouring, it’s deep water, but today it stayed pretty stable so we got to check some stuff. The general feeling in the wet was okay, then in the afternoon it dried out enough to get some dry lap times. My best time was about the same as I did yesterday, I wasn’t able to improve, though conditions were a little bit cooler and not as good today, so I think that’s a positive. We’re not where we need to be on race pace consistently. I tried to test a few tyres today but at the moment we’re struggling for traction on the edge. So we need to have a meeting tonight with Michelin and maybe try something completely different. We struggled a bit here when we were here for the race, so we need to definitely address the problem tomorrow. We get one more day at it and hopefully the weather looks a lot better, so we’ll come in here and try to make a big step forward.” Randy De Puniet, LCR Honda: 1m 31.575s 72 laps. “We lapped in the wet till midday and my pace was pretty fast. It was the first time for me in the wet on this bike and felt quite comfortable. We tested several rain tyres gathering important data for the season. After lunch, when the track started to dry up, I came out to proceed with my set-up work but the surface was dirty and slippery. We tested a couple of rear race tyres and we worked on engine map to improve the engine connection. The problem I had yesterday with the front is almost fixed and the bike is more stable now”. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: Did not test due to hand injuries sustained at Sepang test last week. More, from a press release issued by Alice Team Ducati: RAIN LIMITS SECOND DAY OF TESTING The second day of testing at the Phillip Island circuit, in Australia, has been characterized by the rain which was present during all morning and has limited the Alice Team riders’ work. Only in the late afternoon the track was completely dry allowing Toni and Sylvain to continue the development of their Ducati Desmosedici GP8 Sat. Tomorrow last day of work for the Alice Team before the Official IRTA Test in Jerez in mid February. Fabiano Sterlacchini – Technical Director “We are not satisfied yet, we are still too far from the fastest riders. We made many changes to try to adapt the bike to Toni’s riding style, but at the moment results aren’t coming. Toni has a particular riding style, I am sure that soon we will find the right setting for him, he will make it to show his best, it’s only matter of time. We have taken a step forward today, we have found a front tyre with which we find ourselves very good.” Sergio Verbena – Track Engineer “This morning has rained a lot and this has obligated us to modify our working program. This was the first time for Sylvain on this bike with this tyres on wet track, and I have to say he did quite a good job. Apart Stoner, we weren’t so far from the fastest riders, and this is a good sign for us. In the late afternoon the track completely dry out but we didn’t have enough time to make any big step forward.” Toni Elias – Alice Team Rider (13th best lap time in 1:32.246 – Total laps 59) “This morning rain hasn’t helped us. We need to do as many laps as possible on the dry to find the right setting of the bike and consequently be competitive also in wet conditions. We made it to work on completely dry track for less than a couple of hours and we manage to obtain some good result. We have found a good solution for the front tyre and we will keep working on it tomorrow.” Sylvain Guintoli – Alice Team Rider (14th best lap time in 1:32.431 – Total laps 64) “Also today it was a good day of work for us, also because I had my first experience on wet track with this bike and Bridgestone tyres. I can consider my self satisfied for how we performed. We were in the middle of the standing and this is good for us. We couldn’t do much in the few laps we had with total dry track, but we count on a sunny day tomorrow to try to improve our lap times and maybe try some qualifying tyres.” More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Tech 3 make progress in mixed conditions at Phillip Island Mixed weather conditions couldn’t stop Tech 3 Yamaha duo Colin Edwards and James Toseland from making good progress at the Phillip Island circuit today. The second morning was dominated by persistent rain showers, but typical of the fast changing conditions experienced at Phillip Island, the grey and gloomy skies gave way to sunny but blustery conditions by midafternoon. The day’s unpredictable weather gave Toseland his first taste of Yamaha’s YZR-M1 in full rain conditions, with the British rider gaining valuable experience and data in the wet. Toseland completed 21 laps to post a 1.43.719 for the 11th quickest time. Edwards was eighth quickest in the wet with a new Michelin front rain tyre helping him register a best lap of 1.42.547. After spending over two hours waiting for scattered damp patches to dry out, by the time Edwards and Toseland returned to the track, the rain and lower track temperature significantly reduced grip levels. Toseland ended the day with the sixth fastest time, clocking a 1.31.451 in the last hour. Edwards was 10th fastest with a best time of 1.31.593. Forecasts for the final day tomorrow predict sunny conditions throughout, with only a 20 per cent chance of light rain showers. James Toseland 6th 1.31.451 55 laps “It was important to try the bike in the wet for the first time and I got to grips with it quickly. Luckily I did a lot of wet tyre testing for Michelin last year at the Suzuka Eight-hour. I had five days of testing and three-and-a-half days were completely wet and I got a bit of time on the Michelin wets so I got a pretty good feeling pretty quickly. The electronics work very well and I had a lot of grip. The track was really dirty once it had dried. I don’t know whether the rain brought some sand with it but the track was really slippery. I went out and couldn’t break a 1.35 and it was completely dry. I got back down to some decent times but the conditions were still not as good as yesterday. There was just no drive grip exiting corners, so it was more difficult to make a lap time. Quite slow corners lead onto the fast straight sections on this track and if you can’t get good grip on the exit, you can’t carry momentum on the straight and that can cost a lot of time. It also got quite windy in the afternoon and that makes it difficult as well. I got some good experience of riding in the rain, and but hopefully it will be dry tomorrow so I can try a full race simulation.” Colin Edwards 10th 1.31.593 “It was a difficult day with the weather but we still managed to take something positive out of it. I tried a new front rain tyre from Michelin that I was asking about and they produced one out of the back of the truck and I was really happy with it. Michelin seem to have really taken steps forward with slick and wet tyres. The tyre was different to what I had in the wet last season and it felt more natural for my style. The electronics in the rain are so much better too. The bike is easier to ride. I came in after the first run and gave my electronics guys a hug because I was so happy with it. I liked the ’08 chassis in the rain too. It gives me a lot of confidence and I can understand more what’s going on with the front tyre. This afternoon the track was slippery as hell. I tried a few tyres from Michelin but it was hard to gauge with the track being so greasy. At the end of the day I think we have learned something for Michelin and Yamaha and that’s the key.” Results: 1. Stoner, Ducati Marlboro – 1’29.938 (45) 2. De Angelis, Honda Gresini – 1’30.449 (54) 3. Dovizioso, JiR Team Scot – 1’31.074 (60) 4. Nakano, Honda Gresini – 1’31.316 (74) 5. Haydon, Repsol Honda Team – 1’31.373 (72) 6. Toseland, Yamaha Tech3 – 1’31.451 (55) 7. Melandri, Ducati Marlboro – 1’31.478 (80) 8. Capirossi, Rizla Suzuki – 1’31.545 (62) 9. De Puniet, LCR Honda – 1’31.575 (72) 10. Edwards, Yamaha Tech3 – 1’31.593 (44) 11. Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki – 1’31.774 (50) 12. West, Kawasaki Racing – 1’32.242 (75) 13. Elias, Alice Team – 1’32.246 (59) 14. Guintoli, Alice Team – 1’32.431 (64) More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki Racing Team: Kawasaki’s John Hopkins will head home to California from Australia earlier than expected, after crashing heavily during this morning’s rain affected test at Phillip Island. The 24-year-old Anglo-American was one of the few riders to brave the wet conditions early on, taking the opportunity to familiarise himself with the characteristics of Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX-RR on full wet tyres for the first time. Hopkins looked to have got the measure of the conditions as his lap times tumbled with every lap, but then disaster struck as he tried to up the pace even further. Exiting the ultra-fast turn one, the Kawasaki pilot got on the gas fractionally too hard and was catapulted over the handlebars by a vicious highside. After returning to the pits under his own steam, Hopkins suffered pain in his hip and groin once his leathers were removed. At this point the decision was made to transport him to a medical facility in Melbourne for precautionary x-rays and an ultrasound scan, which confirmed that he’d torn the abductor muscle on the left side of his groin. Hopkins will now return to the United States, where he will receive laser treatment under the direction of the world renowned Doctor Ting. Untreated the injury would take four to five weeks to heal fully, but Hopkins is confident that, with the assistance of Doctor Ting, he will be back on the bike for the IRTA test in Jerez in just two weeks time. The premature departure of Hopkins means that his teammate, Anthony West, will shoulder responsibility for completing Kawasaki’s planned test programme at Phillip Island. The 26-year-old Australian took advantage of this morning’s rain to test the 2008 chassis in full rain conditions, before switching to a dry set-up to start an intensive tyre-testing program once the track had dried out in the afternoon. West completed a total of 75 laps of the Phillip Island circuit today. While he wasn’t happy to have finished only 12th fastest overall, positive results from a number of the new tyres supplied by Bridgestone left him confident of improving his position during tomorrow’s final day of testing. John Hopkins: #21: 15th – 27 Laps – 1’42.130 “My lap times had been coming down by a second a lap, but then I got caught out at turn one while pushing for a faster time. I got on the gas a little too early on the exit, lost the rear and got flicked over the highside when the bike came round on me. I must have been horizontal in the air, because I landed flat on my side. It was a hard landing and it felt painful straight away. I went to hospital in Melbourne, where the doctors confirmed that I’d torn around 50 percent of the abductor muscle from the bone. It’s not a serious injury, but it is quite painful at the moment. I’m determined to be back on the Kawasaki for the IRTA Jerez test, so I’m going to head home to see Doctor Ting and to get treatment on the injury as soon as possible.” Anthony West: #13: 12th – 75 Laps – 1’32.242 “It was a shame to lose dry testing time this morning, but it was good to get out on the new bike in the wet for the first time as well. Once the rain had cleared and the track had dried out we started a pretty heavy tyre testing session with Bridgestone. The tyres they’d brought here for us to try we’ve not used before, but we quickly identified a number of them that seemed to work pretty well at this circuit. Despite the rain, it’s been a pretty productive day. I’m down to do a race simulation run tomorrow. Hopefully it will be just one long run; I told Hopper when he got back from the hospital that if the team make me do his race simulation as well tomorrow then he’ll be getting a bill for it!” Michael Bartholemy: Kawasaki Competition Manager “You don’t crash at Phillip Island’s turn one and walk away unscathed, even in the wet. It was obvious that John was in some pain and, while the initial examination by the circuit doctor indicated he hadn’t broken any bones, we decided as a precaution to send him to a private clinic in Melbourne for a further examination. Thankfully, the x-ray and ultrasound examinations confirmed the initial assessment, but a torn abductor muscle is still a fairly debilitating injury for a racer. But John’s a tough cookie, and I’m sure that with Doctor Ting’s help, he’ll be back on the bike at the IRTA Jerez test in February. Anthony didn’t allow himself to be distracted by what was happening on the other side of the pit box today, and he did a good job shouldering the responsibility for tyre testing with Bridgestone in John’s absence.” Test Times: 1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team 1’29.938; 2. Alex De Angelis (RSM) Honda Gresini +0.511; 3. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JIR Team Scott +1.136; 4. Shinya Nakano (JPN) Honda Gresini +1.378; 5. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team +1.435; 6. James Toseland (GBR) Yamaha Tech 3 +1.513; 7. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team +1.540; 8. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +1.607; 9. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Honda LCR +1.637; 10. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha Tech 3 +1.655; 11. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP +1.836; 12. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing Team +2.304; 15. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing Team +12.192