Valentino Rossi sets the fastest lap time in the final day of testing in Le Mans

© Fiat Yamaha MotoGP. Valentino Rossi has been back on board for two busy days of testing at the Bugatti circuit in Le Mans. With a run of six key races coming up in just two months, the Fiat Yamaha Team have worked on an array of things as they look to give themselves the best possible package with which to fight over the most intense part of the season.

As ever much of the test was given over to tyre testing with Michelin, the new tyre regulations this year meaning that post-race tests such as these hold even more importance for the French manufacturer. The riders also tried some new chassis modifications in order to improve the stability of the M1 and Rossi also tested some new engine parts. The Fiat Yamaha Team now have just over a week off before the first of two ‘home' races this year - the Grand Prix of Italy in Mugello on June 3rd.

Davide Brivio, Team Director says: "We lost a bit of time yesterday and today due to the weather, but anyway we've got a lot done and it's been a very productive couple of days. We've tested a lot of tyres for Michelin with both riders working in different ways and we've found two good directions to develop. Yesterday we also tried some new chassis parts in order to improve the stability of the bike and we think we've made some small improvements to our overall package. Valentino also tried some new engine modifications and we've seen a small improvement, so we think this is something we can bring to Mugello. In general it's been a very valuable test for us and it's also the last chance we'll have for two days consecutive testing until Brno in August. We've got a very busy and very important part of the season coming up so it's been good to have this time to work away from the pressure of a race weekend." (Fiat Yamaha Team)

© Repsol Media Service. Pedrosa and his crew focussed on chassis set-up improvements to complement Monday's valuable engine work. In addition, the 21-year-old Spanish rider ran through a programme of tyre testing for Michelin during which he set a best lap time of 1m 34.63s from his total of 86 laps.

"We spent today testing some tyres for Michelin and generally working on the chassis," explains the Spaniard rider. "I was able to improve my lap time and I think we've found some useful information for the upcoming races. The conditions were a little better than yesterday and we could do quite a few laps, although there were times when there were spots of rain on my visor, which always makes it difficult to rely on the levels of grip. This was a very useful test for me because I missed the testing in Turkey after the crash in the race, so I'm pleased we stayed here for two days." (Repsol Media Service)

© Gresini Racing. Posting the third fastest lap time of the second day, Fausto Gresini's rider Toni Elias comments: "Because of the light rain, the trach was quite slippery. Nevertheless in the afternoon we succeeded to complete a race simulation with very positive sensations. I could lap with a good rhythm confirming the work done during the race weekend on dry conditions". (Gresini Racing)

© Repsol Media Service. World Champ Nicky Hayden resumed his intensive work rate, putting in 83 laps of the 4.180km (2.597-mile) Le Mans circuit as he made further adjustments to the chassis set-up of his RC212V. Though the World Champion was still in some discomfort from the torn cartilage between his ribs, sustained in a high speed fall during Sunday's race, he was able to record an impressive lap time of 1m 34.86s.

"This afternoon the weather cleared up and we caught a few hours of dry track time and were able to improve the pace," says the Kentucky Kid. "Though we didn't find the big breakthrough we need, we basically spent most of the time working on general machine set-up and found some improvements. We've collected a lot of data for the team to look through which definitely gives us some ideas of what to work on. It was a pretty positive test and should give us a good focus for Mugello. I'd like to say thanks to the medical staff at the mobile clinic for taking care of me over the last couple of days, and to the boys in my team for staying here and working hard. We'll come out ready to give it everything in Italy." (Repsol Media Service)

Unofficial lap times

1.- Valentino Rossi - Fiat Yamaha Team - 1m 34.61s
2.- Dani Pedrosa - Repsol Honda Team - 1m 34.63s
3.- Toni Elias - Honda Gresini - 1m 34.81s
4.- Nicky Hayden - Repsol Honda Team - 1m 34.86s
5.- Marco Melandri - Honda Gresini - 1m 35.13
6.- Colin Edwards - Fiat Yamaha Team - 1m 35.52s
7.- Makoto Tamada - Tech 3 Yamaha - 1m 36.11s