Stoner on top of Rossi on Qatar Test day 2

Casey Stoner just topped rival Rossi on Day 2 of the 2010 Qatar MotoGP test.

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Qatar MotoGP test 2010

Casey Stoner has just edged out rival Valentino Rossi in pre season testing at Qatar. With Rossi fastest on day one, Stoner apparently made an agreeable change on the Ducati GP10, to head the time sheets at the end of the second evening of testing.

Rossi has been fastest on the first five tests this pre season, while Jorge Lorenzo suffered, with a hand injury making life difficult.

Ben Spies went well on Day one – 3rd fastest, but several issues and a crash slowed him up on Day two. Team mate Edwards also tested the track surface with his leathers, with his slower day 2 result mirroring Spies after a promising 4th on Day 1. Fellow Merican Hayden would no doubt be happy with 4th fastest on the Ducati.

The Repsol Honda team result was the reverse of what might be expected, with Danny Pedrosa 10th and 13th fastest each day, while teammate Divizioso an encouraging 3rd on the final day.

The MotoGP season starts with the first round at this same Qatar track on April 11th 2010.

Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro Team)
“I am really happy with the test and the work we have done right up to tonight. In the first Sepang test we had a few things to work out but we have made constant progress. The latest big step forward with the GP10 came last night and today I was able to set a consistently fast pace. I have been able to work with the tyres without putting too much stress on them and I was able to keep my pace on used rubber. I like the new engine a lot, it is more manageable and I am pleased to see the other Ducati riders, especially Nicky confirming that with fast times.”

Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha Team)
“This has been another good day. We’ve concentrated mostly on the race preparation and it feels like we’re now ready for the first race. We did a long run at the end of the session and we got some good information, which will help us in the race. Now that testing is over I am very excited about the season. We’ve been strong throughout the six days of practice and it feels good to have been fast here also, where we have struggled in the past. We have only tested at two tracks so we need to wait for another different one to fully understand the new bike, but we’re in good shape. My M1 feels great and I’m looking forward to racing!”

Day 2 unofficial lap times

1. Stoner (Ducati) 1’55.352 (51 laps)
2. Rossi (Yamaha) 1’55.860 (57)
3. Dovizioso (Honda) 1’55.880 (66)
4. Hayden (Ducati) 1’56.116 (51)
5. Capirossi (Suzuki) 1’56.195 (58)
6. Lorenzo (Yamaha) 1’56.504 (44)
7. De Puniet (Honda) 1’56.505 (66)
8. Edwards (Yamaha)1’56.772 (48)
9. Kallio (Ducati) 1’56.767 (74)
10. Spies (Yamaha)1’56.780 (44)
11. Espargarò (Ducati) 1’56.897 (64)
12. Bautista (Suzuki) 1’56.898 (71)
13. Pedrosa (Honda)1’56.934 (56)
14. Melandri (Honda) 1’57.222 (64)
15. Barberà (Ducati)1’57.222 (74)
16. Aoyama (Honda) 1’57.251 (81)
17. Simoncelli (Honda) 1’57.379 (56)

Day 1 Unofficial lap times

1. V. Rossi (Yamaha) 1’55.402
2. C. Stoner (Ducati) 1’55.717
3. B. Spies (Yamaha) 1’55.954
4. C. Edwards (Yamaha) 1’56.540
5. R. De Puniet (Honda) 1,56.588
6. Dovizioso (Honda) 1’56.811
7. J. Lorenzo (Yamaha) 1’56.838
8. N. Hayden (Ducati) 1’56.855
9. M. Kallio (Ducati) 1’56.923
10. D. Pedrosa (Honda) 1’57.047
11. L. Capirossi (Suzuki) 1’57.099
12. M. Melandri (Honda) 1’57.605
13. H. Barbera (Ducati) 1’57.822
14. Y.Aoyama (Honda) 1’57.888
15. M. Simoncelli (Honda) 1’57.891
16. A. Espargaro (Ducati) 1’57898
17. A. Bautista (Suzuki) 1’57.960