Melandri stays at the top
Yamaha successfully tested the electronic updates requested by Melandri after the Misano round, which had not seen particularly positive results for the Italian-based team. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) was second quickest, a couple of tenths behind, the Ducati man focussing on tyre testing for the upcoming rounds and for the opening round of the 2012 season.
Ayrton Badovini was an excellent fourth for BMW Italia with a time of 1'36.1, the young Italian doing most of the development work due to the absence of BMW Motorrad, while Steve Martin was the only rider present for the test-team. Badovini also had a harmless crash in the morning's run.
Toni Elias's test with the BMW left vacant by James Toseland concluded early on, the Spaniard improving to 1'37.8 before heading off to Aragon for the MotoGP race.
In Kawasaki, Joan Lascorz (1'36.1) was slightly quicker than team leader and Nurburgring winner Tom Sykes, while Chris Vermeulen was still suffering from the injury to his right knee and did not go out today. Kawasaki were the only team to use Superpole qualifying tyres at Misano, and with these Sykes set a 1'35.8 and Lascorz a 1'36.0.
With Max Biaggi recovering from the bone fracture in his left foot, Aprilia only brought along Alex Hofmann for the test. The Italian however should be ready to race at next week's Imola round.
Overall times (unofficial): 1. Melandri (Yamaha) 1'35.8; 2. Checa (Ducati), Laverty (Yamaha) 1'36.0; 4. Badovini (BMW), Lascorz (Kawasaki) 1'36.1 ; 6. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1'36.2; 7. Rea (Honda) 1'36.7; 8. Hofmann (Aprilia) 1'36.9; 9. Martin (BMW) 1'37.1; 10. Xaus (Honda) 1'37.4; 11. Elias (BMW) 1'37.8; 12. Vermeulen (Kawasaki) 1'38.4; 13. Tamada (Honda) 1'38.8.
Supersport: 1. Parkes (Kawasaki) 1'38.9; 2. Salom (Kawasaki) 1'39.4; 3. Morais (Kawasaki) 1'40.0
