Triple 2006 MotoGP race winner, Marco Melandri, got his first taste of the new 800cc Honda RC212V he will campaign next season, during the first day of testing at Jerez.

Melandri spent his limited dry time adjusting to the new riding position and learning what he could about the chassis and suspension of machine, but there was no time for engine work or mapping changes to the four-cylinder before rain arrived.

However, the wet weather did at least offer the chance for Melandri and his Gresini team to try their new-for-2007 Bridgestone wets and the Italian - who recently underwent arm surgery - finished the day seventh fastest, after 10 dry laps and 24 in the wet.

"It was a good day even when it rained," declared Marco. "The [800cc] bike is so much different to the 990cc but I like it. The feeling is almost same in some ways but the driveability is much better, basically because there is less power. The 990cc always wants to push into the corners but the 800cc changes direction so much better, you can focus on riding the bike rather than fighting it into turns. I only got in about 10 laps in the dry before the rain came but I felt good on the wet surface with the Bridgestone tyres. We have two more days and I hope it stays dry because I have to learn as much as possible about this bike, we need many laps during the winter tests."