Randy de Puniet Remain Fastest in Sepang

The pre-season MotoGP tests entered its second day in Sepang with Randy de Puniet of LCR Honda continuing his sparkling form to top the time sheet; bettering yesterday’s time with an impressive 2 minutes 1.139 seconds around the 5.542-km track.

De Puniet, who clocked 2 minutes 1.377 seconds on the first pre-season test for 2008, however, did not have a completely smooth day as he crashed during one his afternoon runs when negotiating Turn 6.

Five-time MotoGP Valentino Rossi, who crashed yesterday at noon, had a smooth session today; completing 60 laps to finish third fastest with a time of 2 minutes 1:437 seconds on his Yamaha machine.

Completing 46 laps, Rossi’s former Fiat Yamaha team-mate, Colin Edwards, now with satellite Yamaha Tech 3, was second fastest on an uninterrupted second hot and sunny day with a time of 2 minutes 1.437 seconds.

With Dani Pedrosa unable to continue with the tests after crashing late yesterday and breaking his right arm, 2006 world champion Nicky Hayden was undertaking full responsibility in developing the 2008 Honda RC212V.

Clearly the busiest rider with 66 laps, Hayden clocked a fastest time of 2 minutes 02.102 seconds to finish 10th fastest. World champion Casey Stoner clocked 2 minutes 1.638 seconds to finish fifth fastest.

The pre-season MotoGP tests continue tomorrow for the final day before the teams and riders proceed to Phillip Island in Melbourne for further tests.

Sepang MotoGP Test - Day 2
Top 10 riders

1.Randy de Puniet (Honda LCR) - Honda 2:01.139s/63 laps
2.Colin Edwards (Yamaha Tech 3) - Yamaha 2:01.327s/46 laps
3.Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha Team) - Yamaha 2:01.437s/60 laps
4. Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha Team) - Yamaha 2:01.583s/54 laps
5.Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro) - Ducati 2:01.638s/34 laps
6.John Hopkins (Kawasaki Racing) - Kawasaki 2:01.874s/50 laps
7.Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) - Suzuki 2:01.917s/59 laps
8.Andrea Dovizioso (JIR Team Scott) - Honda 2:02.006s/54 laps
9.Shinya Nakano (Honda Gresini) - Honda 2:02.095s/54 laps
10. Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda) - Honda 2:02.102s/66 laps

For details, contact SIC Press Officer Azhar Ghazali at 019-3837865.