Marlboro Ducati's Casey Stoner is now the fastest man around the Brno MotoGP track after breaking Valentino Rossi's lap record this afternoon using an experimental Bridgestone tyre.
The Aussie was three-tenths of a second quicker than the pole time Rossi set on the Yamaha in 2006, punting his Desmosedici round in 1'55.855 on a qualifier. However, he was only one tenths slower on a race tyre, Ducati claim.
"The changes we made to the setting yesterday have proven to be very positive today too. They allowed me to repeat my time from yesterday on a new experimental tyre and on the same tyre I used on Sunday, and then take another couple of tenths off on a new tyre again," said Stoner.
"Bridgestone are doing a great job but more than anything I'm pleased with this new set-up, which has improved all areas of bike performance and will be useful for the next race. I tried two new qualifiers as well but to be honest I wasn't pushing them that hard because at the moment I'm not concerned by our qualifying performances - I just want to concentrate on how to improve in the races and try to do the best possible job from now to the end of the championship."