Both the team's riders Marco Melandri and Marco Simoncelli were in action this morning on the Sepang circuit, where they got to test their RC212V's suspension and electronic settings throughout the day. Although only Melandri managed to score a Top 10 lap time on Thursday, both riders were satisfied with their bike and look forward to the tomorrow session (in which they'll gather more data on the bike's suspension and electronics).
“With the data from the last test we knew we were going to able to work much better from the start today and begin to reap some of the fruit of our hard work. Now I am closer to the front guys and this is an important step forward,” said Melandri.
“My objective is to continue to improve my lap times but at the same time find a better feeling for the RC212V. Today wasn’t easy, that’s for sure, because of the heat, which everybody knows I don’t like, but I think I can be happy. I’m starting to ride the bike how I want to and how my mechanics, who like me are new to this category, want me to and we’re making progress,” added Simoncelli.
While happy with his team's presenting the new livery for the 2010 season, team boss Fausto Gresini managed to focus on the pluses of today's testing action and insisted he looks forward to more improved performances in the days to come.
“I saw how strong and determined Melandri is looking – he made some important steps forward today, closing the gap on the front guys, and his optimism after the last test was well placed. Simoncelli also looked to be making progress, not so much in the lap times but I have watched him out on the track and I can say that he is starting to look as one with the bike,” added Gresini.
“Naturally there is a lot still to do with the suspension and electronics so we’re expecting another day of hard work tomorrow.”
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