This just in from HMC Ducati:

HMC Ducati rider Doug Chandler wrapped up a three-day test program fastest overall, clocking a 1'25.65 lap time, more than half a second faster than yesterday's front man Nicky Hayden and only 0.28 seconds off the official lap record. The newly-hired Ducati pilot ran consistently in the low 26s, setting his fastest time on the last lap of a ten lap stint.

The team clearly achieved its goal of using the three-day test to make the bike totally comfortable for Doug.

"We just keep getting better and better each day," said Chandler. "I think we're off to a great start and I feel we can go even better with more laps under my belt. I couldn't be happier with either the bike or the team."

The HMC crew will take a few days sabbatical before heading to LA to prepare for the second round of the AMA Chevy Trucks Superbike series at Fontana Raceway.

The new Californian raceway sports a very different layout to that of Laguna Seca, but this doesn't faze Chandler. "Sure, I have a slight disadvantage as I didn't test there like most other riders, but the way things went these past three days, I'm very optimistic."