Stoner fastest at rain-hit Phillip Island

Ducati rider Stoner, second quickest yesterday, set a best time of 1:29.938 late in the day, when the sun had finally helped dry up the track following some heavy showers in the morning.

"Today I set my fastest lap on tyres that had 22 laps on them and that is really positive because it means that the modifications we tried on the set-up have had the desired effect, which was to increase tyre durability," said Stoner. "This also allows us to consider using softer tyres, at least in the odd race.

"This morning I went out twice for just 5 laps each to verify engine response, which is now smoother at the bottom end; everything worked brilliantly and I'm really pleased. The track conditions were never perfect but with some changes to the rear suspension we were able to set some fast times, all of them on race tyres.

"I think it will be possible to repeat those times in the race here too because the new Bridgestones are even better than the ones we used last year. Hopefully the weather is good tomorrow so that we can complete a race simulation."

Alex de Angelis was an impressive second fastest in the Gresini Honda, although he finished half a second behind Stoner after 54 laps. Andrea Dovizioso completed a strong day for the rookies, posting the third quickest time for JiR Team Scot.

Shinya Nakano and Nicky Hayden completed the top five at the Australian circuit.

Stoner's teammate Marco Melandri was the busiest man on track with 80 laps completed, although the Italian finished down in seventh place, ahead of Suzuki's Loris Capirossi, who got his first taste of the Japanese bike in the wet.

"I was able to ride the bike in the wet today for the first time and for me the feeling was good right away," Capirossi said. "We changed some settings and made some more adjustments and by the time the track started to dry we think we have a good set-up for the rain.

"As it dried in the afternoon we were able to test a couple of bits and we went well on the race tyres, even though the track was not in the best condition because of the weather earlier.

"I put on a qualifier at the end of the day, but unfortunately I crashed. I am ok and will be able to continue with the test tomorrow."

Kawasaki's John Hopkins was forced to visit the medical centre following a fall in which he injured his groin muscle. He was then taken to a Melbourne hospital for a scan and it is yet uncertain if he will be able to take part in the final day of the test tomorrow.

Today's times:

Pos  Rider           Team                   Time      Laps
 1.  Stoner          Ducati Marlboro        1:29.938   45
 2.  De Angelis      Honda Gresini          1:30.449   54
 3.  Dovizioso       JiR Team Scot          1:31.074   60
 4.  Nakano          Honda Gresini          1:31.316   74
 5.  Hayden          Repsol Honda Team      1:31.373   72
 6.  Toseland        Yamaha Tech3           1:31.451   55
 7.  Melandri        Ducati Marlboro        1:31.478   80
 8.  Capirossi       Rizla Suzuki           1:31.545   62
 9.  De Puniet       LCR Honda              1:31.575   72
10.  Edwards         Yamaha Tech3           1:31.593   44
11.  Vermeulen       Rizla Suzuki           1:31.774   50
12.  West            Kawasaki Racing        1:32.242   75
13.  Elias           Alice Team             1:32.246   59
14.  Guintoli        Alice Team             1:32.431   64
15.  Hopkins         Kawasaki Racing        1:42.130   27