Catalunya GP test: Day 3

Sete Gibernau took the fastest lap in the mock qualifying session at the Catalunya MotoGP test, winning himself a BMW car in the process.

Gibernau topped the 40-minute session with a time of 1:41.851, setting his best lap well before the end of the session then retiring to his garage to watch the rest on TV.

Valentino Rossi made extreme efforts in his bid to beat the Honda rider, coming a surprise second fastest after his disappointing performances on the Yamaha in the first two days of the test.

To see just how extreme: Check out this week’s MCN, out March 23, for the most spectacular Valentino Rossi picture you’ve ever seen.

Third place fell to Repsol Honda rider Nicky Hayden followed by the Hondas of Marco Melandri and Makoto Tamada.

John Hopkins managed to hold a respectable sixth place on the Suzuki but his team-mate Kenny Roberts crashed badly during the session, seriously damaging his GSV-R.

Max Biaggi looked like he was hoping to repeat the stunt that got him the fastest laps on the first two days of the test by going out on track with seconds remaining in the session. His RCV wasn’t having it though, simply refusing to start, forcing him to settle for eighth place behind the Yamaha of Colin Edwards.

The popularity of MotoGP in Spain was proven by the massive crowd that turned out to watch the event, with over 32,000 people in attendance.

Official qualifying times:

Sete Gibernau 1 : 41.851

Valentino Rossi 1 : 42.270

Nicky Hayden 1 : 42.507

Marco Melandri 1 : 42.797

Makoto Tamada 1 : 42.823

John Hopkins 1 : 43.117

Colin Edwards 1 : 43.131

Max Biaggi 1 : 43.423

Alex Barros 1 : 43.504

Loris Capirossi 1 : 43.531

Shinya Nakano 1 : 43.661

Alex Hofmann 1 : 43.709

Shinichi Itoh 1 : 43.736

Kenny Roberts 1 : 43.911

Troy Bayliss 1 : 43.933

Toni Elias 1 : 44.683

Vittoriano Guareschi 1 : 45.410

Ruben Xaus 1 : 45.540

Nobuatsu Aoki 1 : 45.809

Roberto Rolfo 1 : 45.848

Shane Byrne 1 : 46.705

James Ellison 1 : 47.678

Franco Battaini 1 : 48.298