Melandri tops 1st day

Early reports from the MotoGP testing session in Sepang have shown the Hondas dominating the first day with Marco Melandri setting the fastest time.

Rain caused some delay in the morning but it soon dried out and the riders were laping at record pace.

Melandri dipped just under the 2:02.993 lap record set by Nicky Hayden this year, with a 2:02.95 lap, closely followed by Hayden himself on 2:03.20.

Carlos Checa and Dani Pedrosa, both now on Hondas as well, took the next two places with Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi taking the fifth and sixth fastest laps respectively.

The Yamaha riders spent most of the morning testing new tyres for Michelin but did put in some time on the 2006 M1. They plan to spend a lot more time on the new machine over the remaining days of the test.

Brit James Ellison rode his Yamaha to the 11th fastest time of the day beating Suzuki’s new signing Chris Vermeulen and Kawasaki new boy Randy De Puniet.

We’ll bring you more information as we get it.

Unofficial times:

Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda, 2:02.95

Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda, 2:03.20

Carlos Checa (SPA) Honda, 2:03.58

Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda, 2:03.75

Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha, 2:03.78

Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha 2:03.80

Toni Elias (SPA) Honda, 2:04.05

John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki, 2:04.13

Casey Stoner (AUS) Honda, 2:04.29

Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki, 2:04.90

James Ellison (GBR) Yamaha, 2:05.10

Chris Vermuelen (AUS) Suzuki, 2:05.56

Randy du Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki, 2:05.60

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