The final pre-season MotoGP test of 2008, and first ever to be held at night, has concluded with two rookies at the head of the Qatar timesheets after Fiat Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo edged out Tech 3 Yamaha's James Toseland by just 0.040secs.
Lorenzo, the reigning double 250cc world champion, had been second fastest to MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner with race tyres on the opening night and he again impressed with multi-lap rubber on the final night.
The #48 completed a promising race simulation that saw a series of 1min 56secs laps - close to Stoner's 2007 race winning pace - before (like most riders) trying a qualifying tyre, with which he narrowly demoted reigning double World Superbike champion Toseland on his very final lap of the seven hour session.
"I am very happy because we have done two days of testing with a very good rhythm throughout," said Jorge. "Our performance has been consistent, which is very important after the trouble we had at the last test and this makes me confident for the first race. The race simulation today was really positive, although I think we still need to do some work on the rear of the bike which might allow us to be a bit faster.
"Despite all these positive signs we must keep our feet on the ground, because I have never raced with the other riders and the first race will be a new experience for me!" he warned. "Next week many things will be different so we must remain focused and hopefully maintain a good rhythm. I am happy because I think people understand now that I am ready for this, and this is very important for me and for my confidence.
"I do not have experience in MotoGP so I cannot say how this championship will turn out, but let's say that without experience the winter tests were good and with some experience the championship might be even better!" concluded Lorenzo.
The season-opening Qatar Grand Prix takes place on March 9 and Lorenzo won't be the only rookie approaching the inaugural night race with confidence. A determined Toseland - who also set his best Friday lap time on a qualifying tyre - has slowly but surely been working his way towards the front of the MotoGP field during winter testing and is a previous Qatar winner in WSBK.
Just 0.381s behind Lorenzo, in third position, was Frenchman Randy de Puniet, who was once again the top Honda rider - with his satellite spec LCR machine. The former Kawasaki rider was over 0.6secs quicker than the leading factory RC212V, of Nicky Hayden, by the conclusion of testing and could be set to shock during his third MotoGP season.
Toseland's team-mate Colin Edwards completed an all-Michelin top four, while Ducati's world champion Casey Stoner was the leading Bridgestone rider in fifth - on a night when none of the Bridgestone-shod racers made significant improvements on qualifiers - despite suffering a turn two accident at around 10.30pm local time.
