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2007-05-21 Pedrosa tops day 1 of Le Mans test
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 After Sunday’s eventful Grand Prix of France the Repsol Honda Team
remained at Le Mans and dodged the rain showers to put in a profitable
day’s testing. Dani Pedrosa, who rode to an excellent fourth place in
appalling conditions yesterday, ventured out on a wet track in the
morning to evaluate intermediate tyres and gain further useful data for
the Michelin technicians. With a dry track and warmer temperatures in
the afternoon, the 21-year-old Spaniard continued tests on the modified
exhaust system seen on his RC212V over the race weekend.
Nicky Hayden made a remarkable return to the track today following his
fearsome high speed exit from yesterday’s race. The World Champion
shrugged off the pain from serious bruising to his ribs and completed
43 laps as he focussed on further enhancements to the handling
characteristics of his Repsol Honda. Both riders will remain at the
4.180km (2.597-mile) Le Mans circuit for another day of testing
tomorrow before the crates are transported to Mugello ahead of the
Grand Prix of Italy, which takes place on Sunday June 3.
Dani Pedrosa Best lap time: 1m 35.0s – 70 laps
We were working on some bike set-up
improvements today and trying to make the most of the dry track time
because since the last IRTA test in Jerez I haven’t had too much dry
testing. We made some improvements today which is good because we have
struggled a little in China and also at times over this weekend, so
it’s important we take things forward ahead of the next race in
Mugello. The weather here is always difficult to predict but hopefully
we’ll get another useful day here tomorrow.
Nicky Hayden Best lap time: 1m 35.9s – 43 laps
I’m happy to be able to get on the
bike after yesterday. The doctors said I definitely wouldn’t make my
situation any worse by riding if I could deal with the pain, and it’s
obvious I need to be working on some issues right now – me and the team
both. The laps today weren’t exactly comfortable today though. We
focussed all our time trying get rid of the chatter into the corners
because we were getting some here – even yesterday even in the rain. I
hope to feel even better tomorrow and will be aiming to get some more
good information for the team.
Day 1 Le Mans lap times
1 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 1m 35.0s 70 laps
2 John Hopkins Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1m 35.0s
3 Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team 1m 35.0s 44 laps
4 Toni Elias Honda Gresini 1m 35.1s 58 laps
5 Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 1m 35.3s 66 laps
6 Loris Capirossi Ducati Marlboro Team 1m 35.4s 50 laps
7 Carlos Checa LCR Honda 1m 35.4s 76 laps
8 Colin Edwards Fiat Yamaha Team 1m 35.6s 59 laps
9 Marco Melandri Honda Gresini 1m 35.7 66 laps
10 Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team 1m 35.9s 40 laps
11 Makoto Tamada Tech 3 Yamaha 1m 36.6s
12 Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
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