Dani Pedrosa on top in official Qatar MotoGP test

Yamaha team-mates Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi dominated the first two days of testing in Qatar, in readiness for the 2007 MotoGP series, but it was Dani Pedrosa who shocked everyone on the last day of testing.

All the riders were at the Losail circuit to see who was fastest, and no doubt to put the pressure on those who had shone during separate tests sessions. Colin and Valentino dominated the first two days, and were running constantly in the 1 minute 56 second times. During the last day Dani put in a lap of 1' 55.471 seconds, placing him top of the field on the all-new Honda.

Unfortunately, Suzuki’s John Hopkins highsided at 120mph and was injured, and it’s feared that he may have sustained fractures in his right hand and foot. It is hoped that he will be able to attend the next test session.

The MotoGP teams head on to Jérez, Spain, in preparation for next week’s second official test. It will be the final chance to fine-tune their 800cc prototypes before they return to the Losail International Circuit again at Qatar, on 10th March, to kick off what is sure to be an exciting season.

Final day lap times:
1 Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda, 1:55.471
2 John Hopkins, Rizla Suzuki, 1:55.825
3 Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory, 1:55.954
4 Alex Hofmann, Pramac d’Antín, 1:56.315
5 Colin Edwards, Yamaha Factory, 1:56.371
6 Randy de Puniet, Kawasaki Racing, 1:56.753
7 Loris Capirossi, Ducati Marlboro, 1:56.807
8 Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro, 1:56.834
9 Alex Barros, Pramac d’Antín, 1:56.950
10 Marco Melandri, Honda Gresini, 1:56.980
11 Shin’ya Nakano, Konica Minolta Honda, 1:56.980
12 Makoto Tamada, Dunlop Yamaha Tech 3, 1:57.232
13 Toní Elías, Honda Gresini, 1:57.246
14 Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda, 1:57.269
15 Chris Vermeulen, Rizla Suzuki, 1:57.365
16 Kenny Roberts, Team Roberts, 1:57.408
17 Carlos Checa, Honda LCR, 1:57.497
18 Sylvain Guintoli, Dunlop Yamaha Tech 3, 1:58.379
19 Shin’ichi Itoh, Ducati TTT, 1:58.974
20 Andrew Pitt, Ilmor GP, 2:00.455
21 Olivier Jacque, Kawasaki Racing, 2:02.081
22 Jeremy McWilliams, Ilmor GP, 2:02.612