Factory Ducati riders Loris Capirossi and Casey Stoner concluded the final test of 2006 at the tail end of the top ten - and in the shadow of Suzuki.

The fastest Desmosedici rider by the end of the Jerez test was actually Pramac d'Antin's Alex Barros, but the Brazilian had used a qualifying tyre to set his best time. However, Ducati Marlboro and Rizla Suzuki both claim to have stuck exclusively to Bridgestone race rubber - allowing a clearer comparison between them - and it was the GSV-R that came out on top with Chris Vermeulen and John Hopkins fourth and fifth fastest, while Capirossi and Stoner were around half a second slower in ninth and tenth.

"We still need more time to develop the GP7 and adapt it better to my riding style," explained Capirossi, who took a 990cc Desmosedici to victory at the Jerez season opener. " I still can't get it to do what I like but the base is good and I am sure that in the month and a half before the next test in Sepang they will get to work back in the factory on the basis of the indications from this test. Today we didn't use any qualifying tyres but instead concentrated on the new rubber that Bridgestone brought along, which proved to be suitable to the characteristics of the 800 and which I liked quite a lot. Now it's time for some hard-earned rest after a fantastic but extremely tough season!"

Former Honda rider Stoner did 52 laps of the Jerez track on Thursday, with a best time just 0.1secs slower than his triple 2006 race-winning team-mate.

"Every day we are gaining more and more experience. There are still a few things to improve but considering the number of tests before the first race in 2007 I think that we will be competitive next year," he insisted. "Today we focussed on the engine to help smooth out the harsh power delivery under acceleration at the rear. We saw a lot of progress throughout the day and I am satisfied with the work that we got through."