Ducati News Today

Casey Stoner elected to sit out the first day of the official MotoGP night testing at the Losail circuit in Qatar. Rain on Sunday morning and during the evening session, combined with relatively cool track temperatures and sand on the asphalt all acted as impediments to fast times. In these inclement conditions, Ducati Marlboro newcomer Nicky Hayden finished fastest with a 2’00.717 albeit far from the pace expected at the circuit when competition commences for the 2009 championship on April 12th. The circuit record is held by Jorge Lorenzo at 1’53.927.

The big news was that Ducati’s Casey Stoner failed to even take to the track adding fuel to recent concerns that the recovery of his wrist following surgery over the off season is taking longer than anticipated.

Stoner is yet to re-test the condition of his left wrist which hindered him last season and which was also troubling him at Sepang in the first test of the year after his corrective surgery in November.

A story published in the Sydney Morning Herald suggested that the 2007 World Champion was considering withdrawing from MotoGP competition if his wrist didn’t improved over the two weeks. The resulting speculation led Ducati to issue a press release dismissing the allegations that Stoner might not race in 2009.

The official night testing continues on May 2nd and 3rd.

MotoGP Official Night Test at Qatar – Day One

1. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team – 2’00.717 (29 laps)
2. Marco Melandri, Hayate Racing Team – 2’00.867 (31)
3. Mika Kallio, Pramac Racing – 2’01.020 (27)
4. Alex De Angelis, San Carlo Honda Gresini – 2’01.074 (15)
5. Niccolo Canepa, Pramac Racing – 2’01.328 (21)
6. Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki MotoGP – 2’01.843 (5)
7. Yuki Takahashi, Scot Racing Team – 2’03.221 (18)
8. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda – 2’03.233 (15)
9. James Toseland, Tech3 Yamaha – 2’03.417 (6)
10. Randy De Puniet, LCR Honda MotoGP – 2’03.580 (14)
11. Colin Edwards, Tech3 Yamaha – 2’03.652 (5)
12. Toni Elias, San Carlo Honda Gresini – 2’08.637 (3)
13. Jorge Lorenzo, Fiat Yamaha Team – 2’24.832 (1)
14. Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha Team N/A (0)
15. Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda N/A (0)
16. Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro Team N/A (0)
17. Loris Capirossi, Suzuki MotoGP N/A (0)

link: Hayden top as rain restricts night test at Losail | The Official MotoGP Website

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