Melandri delighted with second

The Gresini rider had repeatedly urged Honda to provide him with upgrades as he struggled during the first half of the season.

He was given an altered exhaust for last week's Sachsenring race and hailed the revision as a major breakthrough after taking a season-best third on the grid and fighting for a podium in the race before fading Bridgestones saw him slip to sixth.

Melandri believes the exhaust has been just as important a factor at Laguna.

"The bike is responding well and thanks to the new exhaust pipe the engine performance is much sweeter and I can ride it as I like around here," he said.

"I'm also satisfied with the tyres. I'm feeling highly motivated for the challenge ahead and I'm determined to finish with a top result.

"I like this track - I was third here last year - and after such a good ride in Germany I'm ready to fight for the podium again."

With Toni Elias still recovering from the broken leg that he sustained at Assen, Melandri has been joined for the US GP weekend by Canadian AMA Superbike rider Miguel Duhamel, who was two seconds slower in 16th as he got to grips with the 800cc bike.

""My first impressions of the RC212V are very positive," Duhamel said.

"This is a really nice experience for me. There's a lot to learn but we're making progress, improving with every outing and I'm enthusiastic. The team are doing a great job."