Hayden enjoys, Biaggi falls.

It was once again a case of contrasting fortunes within the Repsol Honda garage at Qatar during today's third and final day of testing, with Nicky Hayden a close fifth while team-mate Max Biaggi again 'struggled with set-up' - and then suffered a fall during his race simulation - leaving him eighth.

Hayden ended the test behind the fellow RCVs of Makoto Tamada, Marco Melandrei and Sete Gibernau, plus the factory Ducati of Loris Capirossi, but the young American's fastest Thursday lap was a solid 0.45secs quicker than yesterday, just 0.02secs from second fastest Melandri and nearly two-seconds inside his qualifying time for last October's GP.

"After three days here we're really starting to put it all together," smiled Nicky after his 79 laps. "I really enjoyed it here in Doha. There have been fewer riders around and we have really made some good progress. The conditions here have been good; less windy today.

"I'm back to Kentucky for a few days before coming back to Europe for the final tests before the season starts proper. I feel we're in good shape; the team is working real good, and the bike is working well," he declared.

Meanwhile, Biaggi's impressive progress since stepping tentatively onto his factory RCV in January - the first time back on a bike after breaking his ankle back in November - seemed to stall at Qatar this week, and the 33-year-old had a difficult final day as he slipped from his RCV after having lost the front end.

"Today was not the best day," confirmed Max, who was 0.15secs slower than yesterday. "We had wanted to make a race simulation but we make a small mistake and I lose the front end of the machine in Turn 12. There was not so much damage but it was hard to get re-started again.

"We struggled with the set-up of the bike here both on the first day and today. However, we have much data and we tested several interesting parts from HRC and in some cases we have some good results," added the Roman, who ran just 37 Thursday laps. "The team is so strong and motivated. I really look forward to the next test at Barcelona and then move onto racing."

The Repsol Honda Team will re-group in a fortnight (March 18-20) back in Barcelona, Spain, along with the rest of the MotoGP pack for the official IRTA tests as the winter programme draws to a close. The teams then have a final test at Jerez prior to the first of 17 GPs in 2005, at Jerez on April 10th.

Qatar test times - Thursday:

1. Makoto Tamada JPN Konica Minolta Honda 1min 56.63secs
2. Marco Melandri ITA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 57.31secs
3. Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1min 57.32secs
3. Sete Gibernau SPA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 57.32secs
5. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda 1min 57.33secs
6. Carlos Checa SPA Ducati Marlboro 1min 57.35secs
7. Alex Barros BRA Camel Honda 1min 57.38secs
8. Max Biaggi ITA Repsol Honda 1min 57.94secs
9. Troy Bayliss AUS Camel Honda 1min 58.18secs
10. Roberto Rolfo ITA D'Antin Ducati 1min 59.74secs

Qatar test - Overall best times:

1. Makoto Tamada JPN Konica Minolta Honda 1min 56.63secs
2. Marco Melandri ITA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 57.31secs
3. Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1min 57.32secs
3. Sete Gibernau SPA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 57.32secs
5. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda 1min 57.33secs
6. Carlos Checa SPA Ducati Marlboro 1min 57.35secs
7. Alex Barros BRA Camel Honda 1min 57.38secs
8. Max Biaggi ITA Repsol Honda 1min 57.79secs
9. Troy Bayliss AUS Camel Honda 1min 58.18secs
10. Roberto Rolfo ITA D'Antin Ducati 1min 59.74secs

Comparative lap times:
Qatar Grand Prix - 2/10/2004:

Pole position: Carlos Checa SPA Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha 1min 58.988secs

Fastest laps: Honda: Colin Edwards USA Telefonica Movistar Honda 1min 59.293secsDucati: Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro 1min 59.875secs