All MotoGP teams, aside from Tech 3, stayed behind in the Spanish sunshine for a day of testing on Monday. Dani Pedrosa was also absent due to his ongoing injuries.

Dovizioso found some extra speed and came top of the day’s testing – the top 5 riders in the session all recorded faster lap times than the quickest race lap the previous day. Mika Kallio also put in a notable performance testing a new carbon swing-arm.

Catalunya Test Times:

1.Andrea Dovizioso ITARepsol Honda Team1min42.230sec (69 laps)
2.Valentino Rossi ITAFiat Yamaha Team1min42.434sec (58)
3.Jorge Lorenzo SPAFiat Yamaha Team1min42.446sec (80)
4.Mika Kallio FINPramac Racing1min42.637sec (98)
5.Casey Stoner AUSDucati Marlboro Team1min42.763sec (38)
6.Loris Capirossi ITARizla Suzuki MotoGP1min43.188sec (83)
7.Randy de Puniet FRALCR Honda MotoGP1min43.247sec (76)
8.Chris Vermeulen AUSRizla Suzuki MotoGP1min43.299sec (83)
9.Alex de Angelis RSMSan Carlo Honda Gresini1min43.360sec (69)
10.Niccolo Canepa ITAPramac Racing1min43.391sec (90)
11.Marco Melandri ITAHayate Racing Team1min43.506sec (89)
12.Toni Elias SPASan Carlo Honda Gresini1min43.708sec (60)
13.Sete Gibernau SPAGrupo Francisco Hernando1min43.819sec (45)
14.Nicky Hayden USADucati Marlboro Team1min44.157sec (98)
15.Gabor Talmacsi HUNScot Racing Team MotoGP1min45.056sec (53)

Rider reactions to the Catalunya test session:

Valentino Rossi:

“It was hard to test after yesterday but it was a good day and we found out some important things. We worked on electronics to try to find a better power delivery and we also checked a different version of the engine for the second half of the season. Finally we also tried a new tyre with Bridgestone. We got good feedback and hopefully today should mean I can feel even better on my M1 than I did at the weekend, which was already pretty good! At the end we also tried to set some fast ‘qualifying’ laps and I made a good time, so we’re happy. Now I am going home to Italy to have some rest!”

Jorge Lorenzo:

“Today was good because we tested some important things and I was also able to improve my riding style, but I am very tired now because it was very hot and I did 80 laps on top of a very hard weekend! We tried some new electronic systems and suspension settings and we’ve found some improvement, so I am glad that we have made this test today and hopefully it will help us in the next races.”

Casey Stoner:

“This morning, when I woke up, I had some cramp in my legs and a backache so I did some physiotherapy with Freddy [Dente, the team’s physiotherapist] and then got on the bike. I’m fairly happy because the test has confirmed what we thought and I think we are improving bit by bit. We are still lacking some rear grip but we we’ve found a few ways to improve the bike and I am optimistic.”

Andrea Dovizioso:

“I’m really happy with the test today and with the pace we were able to achieve. The modified chassis we tested gave very positive feedback straight away so I used it for most of the day. One of the main improvements in feeling was in the entry to the corner which is a very important plus point because that’s one of the main areas where we’ve been looking to make progress. I know Honda is working really hard to give us a machine to win races, and today has given us a lot of positive signals, so thanks to them – and to my team who have also been working very hard this weekend. I’m definitely looking forward to getting back out on track in Assen,”

Mika Kallio:

“Today has been an important day for us. Compared to Sunday we have clearly improved and this gives me a lot of trust for the rest of the season. The championship started really well with two eighth positions, but then things got worst. Already yesterday the level was acceptable and now we have to continue on this direction also thanks to the great work done today. It has been a really positive session because we solved the problems encountered yesterday and the technical updates, most of all the new carbon fibre swingarm, gave me more confidence with the rear part of the bike even if there are still some aspects that we have to improve”.

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