The Spaniard set the best lap time in the dry with an effort of 2’03”299, only a few thousandths of a second outside the circuit record (2’03”253) held by Valentino Rossi since last year, whilst Marco Melandri managed the fourteenth fastest time despite his recent injury.

The Italian rider made a remarkable effort to take part in today’s action, with the doctors removing the dressing from his right foot on Wednesday and undergoing intensive physiotherapy at the Clinica Mobile to heal the wound held together by 35 stitches. He began walking yesterday and rode today with a larger boot to reduce the pressure.

SETE GIBERNAU (1^st, 2’03”299): “We started off by basing our work on the information we gathered here in the preseason, which was a big help. We haven’t made too many changes and the problems we have had with the front end at other circuits haven’t been too bad here. It was a shame that the afternoon session was wet because we weren’t able to continue with the set-up of the bike. The wet is no use to anybody so hopefully we can have some dry weather tomorrow to try and prepare for the race.”

MARCO MELANDRI (14^th, 2’04”600): “I’m happy to have been on the bike today. The doctors told me that the wound is healing well and there is no risk of it opening. I can’t say it didn’t bother me because every time I pushed down on the footpeg it hurt. I have to get used to riding in this condition but in the clinic they are continuing with the healing therapy and hope it can continue to improve.” 

LAP TIMES