All of 2009's MotoGP riders, besides Colin Edwards and James Toseland, have been out on track testing at Valencia today with Nicky Hayden and Sete Gibernau getting used their new Ducatis and all riders are getting used to the Bridgestone-spec tyres.
So far and not surprisingly, Marlboro Ducati's Casey Stoner has posted the quickest time on his carbon-framed Desmosedici GP9 with a 1'32.464 and only Dani Pedrosa getting anywhere near him. Loris Capirossi is a second off Stoner's pace on the Rizla Suzuki with Alex De Angelis in close attendance.
All eyes are on Gibernau, Hayden and Melandri. The American is a little under two seconds behind his new team-mate on a 1'34.128, Melandri is running the same laptimes on the Kawasaki while Gibernau is three tenths behind.
Valentino Rossi has yet to make an appearance on track, but team-mate Jorge Lorenzo has already gone faster than he did on Michelins.
Laptimes at 2pm today:
1. Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1´32.464
2. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda - 1´32.672
3. Loris Capirossi, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP - 1´33.325
4. Alex De Angelis, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1´33.375
5. Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP - 1´33.565
6. Jorge Lorenzo, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1´33.722
7. John Hopkins, Kawasaki Racing Team - 1´33.760
8. Randy De Puniet, LCR Honda MotoGP - 1´33.832
9. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1´34.128
10. Marco Melandri, Kawasaki Racing Team - 1´34.152
11. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda - 1´34.340
12. Sete Gibernau, Onde 2000 Ducati - 1´34.451
13. Toni Elias, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1´34.628
14. Olivier Jaque, Kawasaki Racing Team - 1´35.013
15. Niccolo Canepa, Alice Team - 1´35.459
16. Mika Kallio, Alice Team - 1´35.727
17. Yuki Takahashi, JiR Team Scot Honda - 1´36.895