Stoner ends Barcelona test on top

The Australian was back on his GP8 bike after having worked with the GP9 on the first day of testing.

Despite track conditions not being perfect due to intermittent rain showers, Stoner was able to try some new electronic solutions and showed strong pace with a best time of 1:42.180 on race tyres.

"I'm happy that despite the conditions not being as good as yesterday we have managed to complete the work we had planned with the GP8," he said. "We were able to try a new electronic configuration that noticeably improved my feeling in the corners where we had problems over the weekend.

"Even though the track wasn't in good shape because of the rain we still set good lap times and I can leave Barcelona feeling satisfied and confident that we're working well for the present and for the future."

Andrea Dovizioso was second quickest in the JiR Scott Honda, the Italian finishing less than a tenth behind Stoner. Nicky Hayden was again the only Repsol Honda rider on track, and the American posted the third fastest time.

Stoner's teammate Marco Melandri got his first taste of the new GP9 bike, but the Italian continued to struggle for pace, finishing the day as 12th quickest.

"Today I completed a few laps on the GP9, which definitely has some positive aspects whilst in other ways it is similar to the GP8. That's why for me it's difficult to get a good feeling for it," Melandri said.

Pos  Rider         Bike           Time
 1.  Stoner        Ducati         1:42.180
 2.  Dovizioso     Honda          1:42.222
 3.  Hayden        Honda          1:42.555
 4.  Vermeulen     Suzuki         1:42.590
 5.  De Puniet     Honda          1:43.039
 6.  Canepa        Ducati         1:43.683
 7.  Guintoli      Ducati         1:44.074
 8.  Elias         Ducati         1:44.538
 9.  Aoki          Suzuki         1:44.665
10.  Jacque        Kawasaki       1:44.938
11.  Nigon         Honda          1:45.181
12.  Melandri      Ducati         1:46.163
13.  Guareschi     Ducati         1:47.022