Marco sets Jerez pace

Former world 250 champion Marco Melandri took the honours on a rain-hit first day in Jerez today as Valentino Rossi and reigning world champion Nicky Hayden struggled.

The Gresini Honda rider clocked a best time of 1.42.563 in his 34-lap stint to edge out factory Ducati rider Casey Stoner.

On a track that was barely dry all day but not totally full wet, riders spent several hours waiting in frustration at the last winter test.

Conditions were far from ideal in the last hour and Melandri’s best time was close to two seconds off the best race tyre time set at Jerez last November.

“Today was a tough day because the track was never really fully dry or fully wet, it was those horrible in between conditions. We made some improvements with the power delivery and I’m happier, but we need more dry track time to see where we are at, “said the 24-year-old Italian.