Stoner ends Valencia test on top

The Ducati rider, who also set the pace on Monday, tried out revised front suspension forks and a new engine configuration at the circuit, and ended up setting the best time of the week in 1m31.900s.

"We were able to understand the bike a little better today and the fantastic weather conditions certainly helped," said Stoner.

"I'm satisfied with this three-day test and with the new characteristics of the bike, in particular the extra traction in corner exit. It is still difficult to figure out exactly the best time to open the throttle but we're getting there and it is a case of more practice and improving the set-up.

"It is nice to be going into the break in good physical shape, without any injuries to get over like in the past two years, so that we can formulate a physical training programme to be in the best possible shape for next season."

Dani Pedrosa put his Honda second on the timesheets, just half a tenth slower than Stoner's mark. The Spaniard continued to get used to the feel of his bike on Ohlins front forks.

Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovisizio made it two Ducatis and two Hondas in the top four, while Marco Melandri had his best day yet back with the Gresini Honda squad in fifth place.

The Pramac Ducatis of Mika Kallio - who was using an aluminium swing-arm - and the impressive Aleix Espargaro were next up, ahead of veteran Loris Capirossi on the best of the Suzukis.

Only 12 riders were on track, with the factory and Tech-3 Yamaha squads having packed up after Tuesday's running.

The slowest of those on-track was 250cc world champion Hiroshi Aoyama, who continued to acclimatise to his Honda, which will run under the Interwetten Team banner next year.

Pos Rider             Team          Time             
 1. Casey Stoner      Ducati        1m31.899s
 2. Dani Pedrosa      Honda         1m31.944s  + 0.045s
 3. Nicky Hayden      Ducati        1m32.804s  + 0.905s
 4. Andrea Dovizioso  Honda         1m32.825s  + 0.926s
 5. Marco Melandri    Honda         1m32.935s  + 1.036s
 6. Mika Kallio       Ducati        1m32.988s  + 1.089s
 7. Aleix Espargaro   Ducati        1m33.275s  + 1.376s
 8. Loris Capirossi   Suzuki        1m33.588s  + 1.687s
 9. Hector Barbera    Ducati        1m33.786s  + 1.887s
10. Marco Simoncelli  Honda         1m33.857s  + 1.942s
11. Alvaro Bautista   Suzuki        1m34.163s  + 2.264s
12. Hiroshi Aoyama    Honda         1m34.812s  + 2.923s