Testing disrupted by strong winds

The teams participating in the session lamented being unable to complete the planned work, with 40mph gusts threatening to blow the bikes off line.

Repsol Honda Team's World Champion Nicky Hayden, after his low-key eighth position in yesterday's Grand Prix of Qatar, completed 28 laps this morning while analysing adjustments to the settings of his RC212V bike. His best lap of the day was a 1:59.11.

"It was really windy today - so strong that we had to stop early," the American commented. "Though the track had a lot of sand blowing on it the grip wasn't actually too bad.

"More than anything the wind was pushing the bike around and really quick lap times were hard to set without taking a lot of risks in the fast corners. We waited for some time but it never really cleared up and we didn't want to lead ourselves down the wrong path.

"So now I'm looking forward to moving on to Jerez for the next race - I want to go there and have some fun. Thanks to the team because I was the one who wanted to stay for this test and, though we couldn't get a whole lot done today, it was worth sticking around."

Yesterday's race winner Casey Stoner and Ducati Marlboro teammate Loris Capirossi had planned to do some Bridgestone tyre testing with their Desmosedici GP7 bikes, but the weather conditions prevented them.

"Despite yesterday's win I feel exactly as any other day," said Stoner. "Obviously the atmosphere in the garage is pretty good and we'll do our best to continue exactly in the same way.

"Today we had planned some tyre tests but the wind was really too strong. The grip of the track wasn't actually too bad but there wasn't the condition to provide the Bridgestone technicians with useful feedback".

Capirossi, who yesterday crashed out on the seventh lap of the race, said: "Today we tried put up some laps but it was so windy and we couldn't ride without taking a lot of risks. It's a pity because we had several things to test for Bridgestone.

"Yesterday's crash is already behind my shoulders and I'm really looking forward to the next race at Jerez."

The Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez de la Frontera will be held in a fortnight's time.