Gibernau ups the pace

Sete Gibernau has topped the time sheets for the second day in a row at the MotoGP test in Phillip Island.

The Spanish rider put on an impressive show clocking a best lap of 1:29.85, significantly under the pole position time he set last year of 1:30.12.

It was the Ducati of Carlos Checa that was closest to the Honda riding Gibernau, coming in with a best lap just 0.09 seconds slower.

Max Biaggi took his Honda to the third spot while Valentino Rossi had to be content with fourth fastest, and his team-mate Colin Edwards was fifth.

Rossi was dissapointed with his pace but seemed to be more worried that he had hit one of the numerous birds that float over the seaside track.

Rossi: “I hit a bird as I was exiting the pit lane today and it went into my airbox; it fell out half way round the track and when I returned to the pit garage there were just some feathers left. I’d just like to say that I’m very sorry for the bird!”

Unofficial times:

1. Sete Gibernau 1:29.85

2. Carlos Checa 1:29.94

3. Max Biaggi 1:29.97

4. Valentino Rossi 1:30.22

5. James Hayden 1:30.45

6. Loris Capirossi 1:30.52

7. Colin Edwards 1:30.60

8. Alex Barros 1:30.69

9. Marco Melandri 1:30.96

10. Troy Bayliss 1:30.97

11. Kenny Roberts 1:30.99

12. Rubén Xaus 1:31.59

13. John Hopkins 1:31.66

14. Toni Elías 1:32.72