Barros fastest at PI

Veteran Brazilian Alex Barros pulled off a big surprise in Australia today when he clocked the fastest time on the opening day of testing at Phillip Island.

Back in MotoGP after a year out in World Superbikes, the South American just edged Loris Capirossi and Marco Melandri to set a best time of 1.30.60 in a 51-lap stint on board the D’Antin Ducati GP7 800. 

It was a good day for Ducati and Bridgestone as the Japanese tyre company ended up with the top three fastest times today. 

Capirossi was just 0.1s adrift as he confirmed he was much happier with Ducati’s new engine management system, though he did suffer a mechanical breakdown at turn four this morning local time (January 30, 2007). 

Clocking the same time – 1.30.70 – was Italian Marco Melandri, who benefited from new electronics setting on his Honda RC212V as he was much improved on his lacklustre performance in Sepang last week.

Barros said: “Today was a good day and we are making progressing with the bike. I think I have adjusted to the new 800 quite quickly but we still need more time.”

DAY ONE TEST TIMES:

Barros 1.30.60
Melandri 1.30.70
Capirossi 1.30.70
Hayden 1.31.18
Pedrosa 1.31.29
Stoner 1.31.40
Hofmann 1.31.50
Checa 1.31.80
Hopkins 1.31.80
Roberts 1.31.90
Elias 1.32.00
Vermeulen 1.32.00
Nakano 1.32.23