Hayden heads Qatar test

The Honda and Ducati MotoGP teams have resumed testing with a three-day session at the Losail International Circuit at Qatar. After the first day on Tuesday, March 2, Nicky Hayden is fastest on his factory Honda.

Hayden finished the day with a time of 1:58.36, just 0.012s ahead of Marco Melandri, but almost a second quicker than Respol team-mate Max Biaggi. While Sete Gibernau was forced to miss the first day with a fever, Biaggi was struggling with set-up issues which were leading to serious tyre wear. Veteran Alex Barros was third quickest, with the Ducati of Loris Capirossi fourth.

Troy Bayliss is still adapting to the Honda RC211V after two seasons riding for Ducati, and finished eighth fastest. He speaks about changing bikes in the March 2 edition of MCN.

Unofficial lap times:

Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda, 1:58.36.

Marco Melandri, Movistar Honda, 1:58.48.

Alex Barros, Camel Honda, 1:58.90.

Loris Capirossi, Malboro Ducati, 1:58.92.

Carlos Checa, Malboro Ducati, 1:59.14.

Max Biaggi, Minolta Honda, 1:59.47.

Troy Bayliss, Camel Honda, 2:00.68.

Roberto Rolfo, D’Antin Ducati, 2:03.50.