"This morning we had some problems with the bike, so we went slower and did not do a lot of setup," Canepa said. "This evening I tried to do a long run on a full tank of fuel. I did a very good lap time on the first lap with full fuel. I'm really happy like yesterday, but a little tired now. I want to come back soon because I like the track and the whole USA."
Few would be surprised if Spies and Canepa find themselves back on track together in the future and both will be competing in world championship events on July 20. Canepa, the reigning FIM Superstock champion, will switch disciplines and ride a third factory Ducati in the Brno round of the World Superbike championship, while Spies will be back in
MotoGP action in front of his home fans at Laguna Seca.
"The first race that I was supposed to run was in the States [at Laguna Seca], and that would have been really cool," said Ben. "We ended up going to Donington and having our first race there, and I think it was better to do that because now I've been on the track with those guys.
"I've done the whole weekend, I've done the start, I've done everything, and I won't be nervous at Laguna. Even if Laguna would, for sure, be a better result than in Donington, the nerves would be there, and we got that out of the way at
Donington. Now I can go to Laguna and then Indy, a track I know now, and go for some good results and try to put the bike up front.
"I think it was better to do that, and for the two races that are in the States, I'm happy about it. We've got a lot of fans. Most of them will be Americans, and they'll be rooting for John [Hopkins], Nicky [Hayden], me and Colin [Edwards], and Laguna is a track that I know well, so I'm looking forward to it.
"My fellow AMA riders will be at Laguna, and they'll have my back, so it'll be fun. I'm looking forward to it," he added.
Half a second behind
Bridgestone riders Canepa and Spies, Nigon put his Michelin-shod Honda third - with Jacque, Costes and Yoshikawa covered by half a second in fourth, fifth and sixth. Aoki didn't ride on the final day.
