Melandri still struggling with Ducati

The Italian could manage no better than 18th overall on the timesheets at Sepang on Tuesday and, although happier with the power delivery characteristics that had hurt him in testing late last year, he was still far from comfortable with other aspects of the GP8 machine.

"The power delivery is better compared to the last test and even though that is something that isn't crucial at this circuit, I think it will be when we go somewhere like Jerez," said Melandri, who joins Ducati from Honda Gresini.

"I still don't feel completely comfortable with the bike as far as the cycle part is concerned. The Ducati has a very unique character - it reacts differently to set-up changes compared to the bike I was used to.

"Along with my engineer we're just trying to understand the problems I'm having at the moment."

Melandri's problems were not helped by electrical issues this morning, which limited the number of laps he was able to complete. But he was hoping that improvements to his seating position for this test should help him make steps in the next few days.

"Losing time this morning when we had to programme the new engine configuration meant that I couldn't get as many laps in as I'd wanted to, but these things happen at the beginning," he said.

"I want to say a big 'thank you' to Ducati Corse for changing the ergonomics of the bike as I requested after Jerez. Now the seat position is good for me and we can concentrate on working on the setting."