Stoner third in testing

From Marlboro Ducati

The Ducati Marlboro Team have concluded day one of testing at Le Mans Monday in cool and cloudy conditions. Thankfully the weather did not interrupt the riders' programme and both Casey Stoner and Marco Melandri were able to work on various aspects of the set-up of their GP8 machines, as well as trying a variety of new Bridgestone tires.

Stoner completed 50 laps on race tires and worked on the electronics with the aim of improving engine performance. During a five-lap run, in which the Australian used a particularly encouraging rear tire, he clocked a best time of 1:33.994.

Melandri worked relentlessly over 63 laps on the set-up of his machine but was unable to find any significant steps forward.

The pair will be back on track Tuesday for the second and final day of tests in France before the next appointment for the Ducati Marlboro Team: the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello on June 1.

Unofficial lap times
1. Dani PEDROSA (Honda) 1:33.106
2. Valentino ROSSI (Yamaha) 1:33.661
3. Casey STONER (Ducati) 1:33.994 (race tires)
4. Chris VERMEULEN (Suzuki) 1:34.108
5. John HOPKINS (Kawasaki) 1:34.484
6. Loris CAPIROSSI (Suzuki) 1:34.730
7. Nicky HAYDEN (Honda) 1:34.752
8. Shinya NAKANO (Honda) 1:34.911
9. Alex DE ANGELIS (Honda) 1:34.926
10. Anthony WEST (Kawasaki) 1:35.082
11. Marco MELANDRI (Ducati) 1:36.064 (race tires)
12. Erwan NIGON (Honda) 1:37.389
13. Olivier JACQUE (Kawasaki) 1:37.424