Laconi ends Valencia test quickest

Factory Fila Ducati rider Regis Laconi has ended the three-day Valencia test as the fastest rider.

As each rider was given the chance to perform a flying lap on their new Pirelli qualifying tyres, nine of the top ten made an improvement. Laconi and Steve Martin dropped below the 1:36 barrier, with Brits James Toseland and Leon Haslam third and fourth quickest. Haslam finished with a 1:36.201, despite being balked on his fast lap. Haslam wass also riding with an injury, after breaking a finger in a crash on the first day.

The current lap record still stands at 1:34.633, set by Neil Hodgson in 2003.

Renegade Ducati team-mate Noriyuki Haga was the only rider not to improve on his times from the previous two days.

Chris Walker finished 12th quickest on the Foggy-Petronas FP-1, just in front of Pier-Francesco Chili and Garry McCoy. Chili reverted to his 2003 Ducati 998, after struggling with the new 999, and immediately set faster lap times.

Valencia three-day test. Final times:

1) Regis Laconi. 1:35.393. 2) Steve Martin 1:35.574. 3) James Toseland. 1:36.162. 4) Leon Haslam. 1:36.201. 5) Marco Borciani 1:36.303. 6) Troy Corser. 1:36.310. 7) Noriyuki Haga. 1:36.676. 8) Chris Vermuelen. 1:36.907. 9) Sergio Fuertes. 1:37.023. 10) Ivan Clementi 1:37.186.

12) Chris Walker. 1:37.287. 13) Pier-Francesco Chili. 1:37.343. 14) Garry McCoy. 1:37.585.