Qatar testing Night 2: Lorenzo on top

Fiat Yamaha Team rookie Jorge Lorenzo proved he is more than ready for his MotoGP debut with an impressive display at the final pre-season test in Qatar tonight. The 20-year-old topped the time sheets on the second night of floodlit testing at the desert circuit, lapping half a second under the existing pole record on Michelin qualifying tires.

Lorenzo, who was victorious in the 250cc race here last year, was also fast throughout the day on race tires as he worked on refining the setting of his M1 in preparation for his competitive entry into the premier-class. His race simulation towards the end of the night’s work heralded impressive results before he tried out some qualifying tires, setting his lap of 1’54.552 on his 73rd and final lap.

Official Lap Times

1. Jorge LORENZO (Fiat Yamaha) 1:54.552
2. James TOSELAND (Yamaha Tech3) 1:54.592
3. Randy DE PUNIET (Honda Lcr) 1:54.973
4. Colin EDWARDS (Yamaha Tech3) 1:55.467
5. Casey STONER (Ducati Marlboro Team) 1:55.485
6. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (Jir Honda Scot ) 1:55.550
7. Nicky HAYDEN (Repsol Honda) 1:55.674
8 Chris VERMEULEN (Rizla Suzuki) 1:56.119
9. Alex DE ANGELIS (Honda San Carlo) 1:56.249
10. Valentino ROSSI (Fiat Yamaha) 1:56.256
11. Loris CAPIROSSI (Rizla Suzuki) 1:56.450
12. John HOPKINS (Kawasaki) 1:56.612
13. Dani PEDROSA (Repsol Honda) 1:56.704
14. Shinya NAKANO (Honda San Carlo) 1:56.792
15. Marco MELANDRI (Ducati Marlboro Team) 1:56.902
16. Toni ELIAS (Alice Ducati) 1:56.986
17. Sylvain GUINTOLI (Alice Ducati) 1:57.055
18. Anthony WEST (Kawasaki) 1:57.459