Stoner smashes record

From Ducati Corse, Repsol Honda & Yamaha Racing

PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA -- Casey Stoner lapped faster than any other rider in history at Phillip Island today, his stunning lap of 1:28.777 coming on the last of three days of tests at his home circuit.

The reigning World Champion used a qualifying tire on his 25th of 51 laps, although his pace during a race simulation was equally impressive. Only his flying lap registered outside the 1:30 mark as Stoner racked up 23 consecutive fast laps with relentless precision. Only the heat of the track in the scorching afternoon sun interrupted the local hero's progress, three laps short of the intended total, but his satisfaction was still complete.

"We did the race simulation with one of Bridgestone's new tires and it went really well, even though we had to come in three laps early," Stoner said. "The track temperature today was actually higher than it was for the race here and you could tell. Even so we managed to lap consistently in low 1.30 and that shows how well they're working in Japan."

Nicky Hayden and Repsol Honda ended the Phillip Island session with the second fastest lap time at 1:29.734. Hayden and his crew dedicated the day to fine-tuning chassis set-up and evaluating Michelin race tires, though like most other riders he did his best lap on qualifying tyres.

Making only his fourth appearance for the Tech 3 Yamaha team, James Toseland took full advantage of his vast Phillip Island track knowledge to finish with the third fastest time of 1:29.754. His best was set on a Michelin qualifying tire. Toseland was one of only five riders to break the 1:30 barrier over the three days.

Toseland also gained more crucial experience by completing his first full race simulation on board the 2008 Yamaha YZR-M1. He lapped consistently in the 1:31 bracket during his 27-lap run, as he assessed new front and rear suspension settings and a revised electronics set-up in full race conditions. His best lap on race tires today was a 1:31.012.

After yesterday's rainfall, today's conditions were perfect: sunny with ambient temperature at 19 to 22 degrees and track temperature at 35 degrees.

The next official MotoGP test takes place in Jerez, Spain Feb. 16-18. Repsol Honda, however, will continue its preseason work at Sepang, Malaysia, next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Day Three Testing Times (courtesy Ducati Corse)
1. Casey STONER (Ducati) 1:28.777 (51 laps)
2. Nicky HAYDEN (Honda) 1:29.734 (102)
3. James TOSELAND (Yamaha) 1:29.754 (89)
4. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (Honda) 1:29.780 (90)
5. Colin EDWARDS (Yamaha) 1:29.795 (56)
6. Chris VERMEULEN (Suzuki) 1:30.216 (73)
7. Alex DE ANGELIS (Honda) 1:30.438 (91)
8. Shinya NAKANO (Honda) 1:30.728 (89)
9. Toni ELIAS (Ducati) 1:30.966 (97)
10. Randy DE PUNIET (Honda) 1:30.978 (115)
11. Sylvain GUINTOLI (Ducati) 1:30.983 (58)
12. Marco MELANDRI (Ducati) 1:31.377 (108)
13. Loris CAPIROSSI (Suzuki) 1:31.508 (75)
14. Anthony WEST (Kawasaki) 1:31.957 (90)