Kawasaki duo fastest as test ends
Randy de Puniet led a surprise Kawasaki one-two on the final afternoon of pre-season testing at Jerez
With the televised qualifying simulation having taken place between today's two practice sessions, the teams inevitably focused more on long runs and race preparations during this afternoon's test.
Consequently the likely title contenders were lapping far shy of the pace that they had displayed during the earlier qualifying session, and left the way clear for lower profile riders to shine.
De Puniet and teammate Olivier Jacque both took turns at the head of the times before de Puniet lapped in 1:40.256, 0.3 seconds clear of Jacque, with half an hour remaining.
Gresini Honda rider Toni Elias snatched third from Pramac d'Antin's Alex Hofmann at the very end of the session, both lapping half a second slower than de Puniet.
Having dominated the qualifying session, Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi settled for fifth and sixth this afternoon.
Today's times:
Pos Rider Bike Time Laps 1. De Puniet Kawasaki 1:40.256 37 2. Jacque Kawasaki 1:40.541 + 0.285 40 3. Elias Honda 1:40.769 + 0.513 44 4. Hofmann Ducati 1:40.851 + 0.595 34 5. Pedrosa Honda 1:41.065 + 0.809 50 6. Rossi Yamaha 1:41.152 + 0.896 40 7. Checa Honda 1:41.195 + 0.939 37 8. Nakano Honda 1:41.279 + 1.023 45 9. Vermeulen Suzuki 1:41.292 + 1.036 25 10. Hayden Honda 1:41.354 + 1.098 54 11. Melandri Honda 1:41.425 + 1.169 44 12. Capirossi Ducati 1:41.451 + 1.195 28 13. Edwards Yamaha 1:41.580 + 1.324 31 14. Tamada Yamaha 1:41.910 + 1.654 18 15. Barros Ducati 1:42.100 + 1.844 29 16. Stoner Ducati 1:42.161 + 1.905 24 17. Roberts Jr KR2I2V 1:42.199 + 1.943 31 18. Guintoli Yamaha 1:42.748 + 2.492 18 19. Akiyoshi Suzuki 1:42.987 + 2.731 23 20. Mcwilliams Ilmor X3 1:43.752 + 3.496 20 21. Pitt llmor X3 1:44.773 + 4.517 10 22. Ito Ducati 1:44.803 + 4.547 28 23. Guareschi Ducati 1:45.939 + 5.683 35
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