Melandri suffers final day decline.

Despite being fastest on the two opening days of testing at Jerez, Gresini Honda's Marco Melandri failed to make an impression on qualifying tyres during Sunday's 40-minute BMW shootout - and finished just 14th.

"It was a difficult day but this test was very important to collect data and understand many things about the bike," said Marco. "This afternoon I also made a race simulation and we improved the race rhythm. We need to make a step forward with the qualifying tyre but I'm confident that the Bridgestone technicians will do their best. I'm confident because I trust a lot my team and our partners."

Team-mate Toni Elias, who has struggled more than Melandri in adapting to the team's new Bridgestone tyres, was 11th during the qualifying session and is now running out of time to fully solve the issue prior to the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix on March 10.

"We are struggling a bit because we need to adjust the bike to the new tyres so we need to work a lot on suspension and chassis," said the Spaniard, before insisting: "All in all, I'm confident because the Bridgestone technicians are working very hard and the team is doing a great job."