MotoReview

Ducati rider Sete Gibernau and Kenny Roberts JR of Team KR opted not to test at all today, the latter team preferring to spend the day preparing an updated chassis for the final day of testing tomorrow.

For several riders today was the first proper opportunity to ride their GP machines on a wet track. For Dani Pedrosa and Randy de Puniet it was also their first time crashing on a wet track, fortunately both without any injury. Toni Elias completed 45 laps and was pleased with his progress, commenting, 'I found myself comfortable with the bike and my feeling improved lap by lap.'

Kawasaki rider Randy de Puniet was pleased with the opportunity to do some wet testing and completed 49 laps of the Phillip Island circuit. "The conditions were good for me today, as the rain allowed me to complete my first real wet test aboard the new Ninja ZX-RR. Through the morning we worked to find a good wet set-up on the bike, making some changes to the power delivery and throttle response to suit my riding style. Unfortunately the morning ended with a crash; I got on the gas too hard on a new tyre and went down in turn one. In the afternoon we found a good solution with the set-up and I was able to put in some consistent lap times in the difficult conditions."

Ex-250cc champ Dani Pedrosa had a similar view on his day. "We started calm at the beginning and I felt pretty good when suddenly I crash at the exit of the first corner. Fortunately I'm OK. We could start again, and I didn't make so many laps, but al least we could improve and get experience with the crash and rain setting." 

Phillip Island Day Two Times 

1. Shinya Nakano JPN Kawasaki Racing Team 1min 42.6 secs
2. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team 1min 42.62 secs
3. Marco Melandri ITA Fortuna Honda 1min 42.63 secs
4. Toni Elias SPA Fortuna Honda 1min 42.96 secs
5. Randy de Puniet FRA Kawasaki Racing Team 1min 43.3 secs
6. Makoto Tamada JPN Konica Minolta Honda 1min 43.74 secs
7. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 1min 44.87 secs 

The Phillip Island test will conclude tomorrow, and with the weather forecast not looking too promising it seems likely that the riders will be gaining further wet weather experience.

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