Gibernau heads GP test

Sete Gibernau heads the unofficial list of test times from the opening day of three days of MotoGP testing at Phillip Island in Australia.

The Telefonica Movistar Honda rider recorded a time of 1:30.29, just quicker than the Repsol Honda of Nicky Hayden. Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi was third quickest with 1:30.55, followed by Max Biaggi on the Honda and Carlos Checa on the Ducati Desmosedici. Rossi’s Yamaha team-mate Colin Edwards was ninth quickest following his switch from the Honda he rode last season.

Marco Melandri crashed when he pushed too hard going in to turn five while testing some new fork modifications. He was uninjured and will be back out on track for the second day.

Makoto Tamada however crashed much more heavily and may miss the second day.

Tamada: “I feel a lot of pain in my left hand and foot, but luckily I didn’t get seriously injured. Let’s hope that ice will help me out and let me ride my bike again tomorrow.”

Unoffical Phillip island times:

Sete Gibernau 1:30.29

Nicky Hayden 1:30.53

Valentino Rossi 1:30.55

Max Biaggi 1:30.65

Carlos Checa 1:30.69

Loris Capirossi 1:30.81

Colin Edwards 1:31.15

Marco Melandri 1:31.32

John Hopkins 1:31.32

Makoto Tamada 1:31.42

Kenny Roberts 1:31.61