Rossi, who was brought down by another rider at the first corner of the race after a lightening start, also completed one run today on the 2005-specification YZR-M1, in order to compare its performance with the 2006 bike and gather more data to help the engineers find a final solution ahead of the next race.

The Camel Yamaha Team now have a week’s rest before they travel to Qatar early next week for the second MotoGP race of the season.

DAVIDE BRIVIO – CAMEL YAMAHA TEAM DIRECTOR

“After such a disappointing opening weekend to the season, it was important for us to have the chance to test today. It was a very useful and interesting day for us and we were able to collect a lot of important information which we believe will help us. It was good to be able to go back to some of the settings that we tried over the weekend and to evaluate them in a more relaxed atmosphere, without the time pressure of a race weekend.

“In addition we decided to have Valentino ride the 2005 M1 for a few laps so we could compare its performance at this track with that of the new bike. It was interesting to see the difference – a few things about the ’05 bike are better at the moment, but overall it seems the ’06 bike is still a more improved package and Valentino’s fastest times today were on the 2006-spec M1. Anyway the data from this comparison should help us a lot as we continue to develop the new bike. Valentino was able to make some good improvements to the performance of the ’06 bike so this is encouraging for Qatar. Colin’s test wasn’t quite as positive but after today we now have a better idea of what to do in order to bring him back to the level he was at in Barcelona. It’s been an important day for us and now the Yamaha engineers will work hard to evaluate the data gathered so that we can come to Qatar and fight at the front with both riders where they belong.”

Times:

Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Team, 1’39.910

Sete Gibernau (SPA) Ducati Marlboro Team, 1’40.504

Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team,1’40.798

Casey Stoner (AUS) Team LCR, 1’40.821

Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team, 1’40.845

Carlos Checa (SPA) Yamaha Tech 3, 1’40.932

VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) Camel Yamaha Team, 1’40.966

John Hopkins (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP, 1’41.096

Shinya Nakano (JPN) Kawasaki Racing Team, 1’41.178

Toni Elias (SPA) Fortuna Honda, 1’41.193

Makoto Tamada (JPN) Konica Minolta Honda, 1’41.234

Marco Melandri (ITA) Fortuna Honda, 1’41.400

COLIN EDWARDS (USA) Camel Yamaha Team, 1’41.442

Chris Vermuelen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP, 1’41.554

Kenny Roberts (USA) Team KR, 1’41.861

James Ellison (GBR) Yamaha Tech 3, 1’42.924

T. Okada (JPN) 1’43.265