HONDA RIDER LAP TIMES AND QUOTES

Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda: 2m 00.326s - 77 laps "Today's gone a lot better than the last couple and we're feeling positive, I feel like I'm a lot closer than I was a year ago here. This morning we checked the pneumatic valve engine, then we just focused on the standard engine and this year's chassis, working on the general set-up. I used qualifiers for my fastest lap and they worked well. After that we did a batch of front tires because one of my weak points here is that sometimes I struggle when this track gets hot. So I did a batch of tires at the hottest part of the day to improve on that.

"We hadn't really tested any tires for Michelin here until today and we wanted to do a long run. That run was decent, probably the best thing I've done all week. I did the best lap I've ever done round here on race tires on lap 18, a 2m 01.6s. At the end of three long days that wasn't too bad. I used a 16.5 on that run but I've also been trying some 16 rears here.

"Now we go to Phillip Island which is quite a different track with some long corners, some high-speed stuff and a lot of changes of direction. The big thing there is tires so it'll be really important to do some more tire work with Michelin there. We will also do some more work with the pneumatic-valve engine. I've got faith in Honda, so hopefully they can make us proud. I think it's going to be a good season, there's a lot of guys going fast, a lot of guys motivated. It's an exciting time, everyone's at zero."

Andrea Dovizioso, JiR Scot Honda: 2m 01.447s - 51 laps "The long run I made today was very interesting we made some small setting changes to the RCV and I also changed my style a little, hanging off the bike more than normal and this helped ease the chatter problems I have experienced here. Before the long run I tested a few Michelin tires even a qualifier that was very good, particularly the 16-inch rear. If you look at the lap times set at the last GP here at Sepang we are not slow, my times are fast. So I leave here quite happy with the results of the test."

Randy De Puniet, LCR Honda: 2m 01.873s -

56 laps "I worked on the range of tires that Michelin brought here for me to try then on the overall balance of the bike with suspension settings and a different off-set on the front forks. Then, when I was happy with the set up in the early afternoon I worked on front tires. I crashed today at the same place as yesterday, the same time and the same speed. The front turned in on me very quickly - very strange as I was of the gas. Maybe it was a combination of the high track temperature and a too soft front tire. I ran my race simulation test yesterday afternoon and it was very good. I am very happy I have been fast on every day."

Shinya Nakano, Gresini Honda: 2m 02.032s - 38 laps "Today we did some testing with brake and tire combinations just to confirm we are working in the right direction. We started working with the Nissin brakes at the Jerez test over three-days and now at Sepang. I am happy with the performance finally I have found a good feeling because I can brake as I need to and they perform consistently. I tried a qualifying tire but my best lap times were set with race tires. We are working towards the first race at Qatar and we have a lot of work to do but we are getting good support from Honda and Bridgestone so I am very happy."

Alex De Angelis, Gresini Honda: 2m 02.196s - 37 laps "This morning my wrist was much better after the Doctor had given me a pain killing injection and everything was OK. The afternoon was not so good and I had a lot of pain so I stopped testing. We worked on the engine braking system and I ran with less engine brake, I was sliding just a little too much yesterday. We changed the ride height and this also helped reduce the chatter a lot but not completely. I also worked with the Nissin technicians and was impressed with the performance possibilities. I am very happy with the work we did here but not happy with the condition of my wrist. Now we go to Phillip Island and that's my favorite track. Much different to Sepang so I will learn more about the bike next week."

The MotoGP teams now move on to the Phillip Island circuit in Australia for a three-day test on January 30 - 31 and February 1.