MotoGP: 2009 Sepang Test Day 1 Results

Riding an updated GSV-R800, the Rizla Suzuki rider set the top time of 2:01.869 on the last of his 37 laps on the Sepang International Circuit. Capirossis teammate, Chris Vermeulen set the fourth fastest time which bodes well for the 2009 GSV-R which features a new engine, chassis and carbon fiber frame.

Casey Stoner recorded the second fastest time, 0.169 seconds behind Capirossi. The test was the Ducati Marlboro riders first time on the Desmosedici GP9 since undergoing surgery on his wrist Oct. 30, 2008. Despite the positive results, Stoner says his wrist is still not fully healed.

My wrist is still in a lot of pain and I honestly hoped it would be in better shape than this after three months since the operation, says Stoner. Even though the lap times were good from the start the wrist was still giving me a lot of problems it is weak and painful under braking, especially in the first left-hand turn. I cant do more than four or five laps at a time and theres nothing I can do about that at the moment, other than hope that it improves over time

I stopped quite early this afternoon because I wanted to keep myself in good shape for tomorrow and the day after, says Rossi. After some laps my finger was hurting and it was also beginning to swell up. Tomorrow we will try something new with the electronics and we will also have to change the engine, because the one I used today was the same one that we used at the Jerez test and its mileage is now over.

Toni Elias completed the top five riding his San Carlo Honda Gresini RC212V. Elias top time was 0.202 seconds faster than the factory Repsol Honda bike piloted by Andrea Dovizioso.

Colin Edwards recorded the seventh fastest time for Tech 3 Yamaha while fellow American Nicky Hayden was 11th for Ducati Marlboro.

The bike feels good on the brakes and it is stable and precise in the fast corners, says Hayden. Im struggling a bit on corner exit though because it still tends to pump quite a lot and Im not used to that yet. Were working to reduce it and weve got a couple of ideas that well check out over the next two days.

The riders will return to the track for two more days of testing Feb. 6-7 in Sepang.