Hayden’s camp were pleased with the 22-year-olds progress. Fastest in Sepang and running regularly with the top men at Phillip Island the 2003 MotoGP Rookie of the Year is building on the experience of his first year.

Barros’s crew are particularly happy with the results of the tests. The experienced Brazilian hadn’t ridden a race bike in three months after shoulder surgery over the winter. He worked hard with his new team on, for him, a new bike, and ended the tests physically and mentally in a good shape.

Nicky Hayden - “Overall at Phillip Island we’ve had three pretty productive days. We got to do a lot of laps and we’re happy that many of them were consistently fast. We’re up there with the fast guys and it really feels like I’m riding the bike closer to the limits – pushing more and more all the time. We’ve still have got a lot of work to do in the remaining tests before the start of the season but we’re happy with the position we’re in at the moment. We’re off the Japan next for some wind tunnel tests – I’m going to work on my ‘tucks’, then back to Europe in early March.”

Tuesday best lap 1m31.50; 100 laps
Wednesday best lap; 1m31.18; 85 laps
Thursday best lap; 1m30.68; 80 laps

Alex Barros - “I’m feeling pretty happy. I’m comfortable on the bike and the rhythm is improving. The target for the six-day test at Sepang and Phillip Island was to take it steady, get used to riding again and not to do anything stupid. We have achieved this and it’s pleasing to be not so far off the top already. Every day the shoulder feels better and I am pleased it will have even more time to recover before the next tests at Valencia. This new team is working well and there is a very good spirit – I leave here with confidence and expectation about the season ahead.”

Tuesday best lap 1m31.78; 80 laps
Wednesday best lap 1m31.59; 58 laps
Thursday best lap 1m30.88; 74 laps