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2008-05-20 Le Mans test concludes with Rossi on top
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 Second and final day of testing at Le Mans saw only four riders taking track time - Rossi, Stoner, Melandri and Honda test rider Ewan Nigon. Ducati riders were first to pack their stuff and leave the track, as team engineers have found problematic part that forced Stoner out of action on Sunday and decided that test should be stopped to avoid damage on other Ducati engines.
Valentino Rossi put in another valuable day’s work in Le Mans today, completing 44 laps and setting a best time of 1:33.882. With just four riders testing today, it was a quiet day on track and Rossi and his crew made the most of the relaxed environment to continue testing tyres with Bridgestone and to try out some new settings for the M1. The Italian’s best time was set on race tyres and was an impressive 0.333 seconds quicker than the fastest lap in Sunday’s race, set by Rossi himself on his way to a memorable 90th career victory.
Sunshine yesterday and today had allowed Stoner to complete the majority of work planned for this test and the Australian was straight back on the pace this morning on race tyres. Marco Melandri completed only a handful of laps today. With lower ambient and track temperatures he waited until 10:30 before taking to the track, and then he also stop at the lunchtime break, at 12:00.
Davide Brivio - Fiat Yamaha Team Manager:
It was a nice quiet day on track today and it was good to have the chance to work in such a relaxed atmosphere, without so many other riders around. We finished quite early but we managed to get a lot of important work done, both on tyres with Bridgestone and on the general set-up of our bike with the next few races in mind. We tested more different tyres and also made some experiments with different settings, trying to collect as much information as possible to help us to continue to improve. The next eight weeks brings six races in close succession and so we need to be at the top of our game!
Valentino did a very good time with a race tyre this afternoon so it’s clear we’re working well, and now we’re leaving Le Mans with some great memories and with everyone feeling positive and motivated for the busiest stage of the season. Thanks to Valentino and the team for staying on and working so hard over these two days; now I hope everyone can have a good break before our home race!
Day 2 test times - Le Mans:
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'33.882
2. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro 1'34.068
3. Erwan Nigon (FRA) HRC Test Team 1'36.341
4. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro 1'38.536
Day 1 test times - Le Mans:
1. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda 1'33.106
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'33.661
3. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro 1'33.994
4. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki 1'34.108
5. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing 1'34.484
6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'34.730
7. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 1'34.752
8. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'34.911
9. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'34.926
10. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing 1'35.082
11. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro 1'36.064
12. Erwan Nigon (FRA) HRC Test Team 1'37.389
13. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing 1'37.424
Le Mans: Record Lap
V. Rossi (Yamaha) 2008, 1'34.215
Le Mans: Best Lap
D. Pedrosa (Honda) 2008, 1'32.647
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