DUCATI XEROX TEAM PREPARES FOR START OF CHAMPIONSHIP
The Ducati Xerox Team has concluded its pre-season testing schedule
with two days at the Vallelunga circuit on the outskirts of Rome, where
the penultimate round of the World Superbike Championship will be held
in September. For two-times world champion Bayliss, it was his first
taste of the Vallelunga circuit, while Lorenzo Lanzi has already raced
here in 2003, on the old track before recent modifications lengthened
it to 4.11 km. Sunday's good weather was followed by wintry conditions
today, but at the end of the two days both riders were pleased with the
work done in view of the championship opener in Qatar in a couple of
weeks time.
The quickest time of the test, 1m38.5s, was set on Sunday by Troy
Bayliss, who also had positive things to say about the Rome track.
"I guess the most important thing for us was to actually come here
because it's the only place on the calendar this year that I haven't
seen" declared Troy. "We were limited with laps due to the weather but
considering the time I had yesterday we did a pretty good job, setting
38.5 a few times when we only rode in the afternoon and today we made
hardly any laps either. This afternoon I went out in the rain as well,
which was confidence-inspiring because it's been a while since I've
ridden in the rain. I like the circuit because it's got a bit of
character about it, very up and down, and quite physical as well but I
think it'll make for a good race here. The championship starts in ten
days time and I'm born ready!"
Despite suffering from a nasty bronchitis, team-mate Lanzi also
lapped quick on the opening day, the Italian setting a time of 1m38.6s,
one-tenth of a second slower than the Australian.
"These have been a couple of strange days due to the conditions but
in the end we managed to test a few things in the sixty or so laps we
did yesterday" commented Lorenzo. "I have come back to Vallelunga for
the first time in three years and I have to say I quite like the track
now. We already have some good reference data for the race here in
September. The championship gets underway shortly, we have done a lot
of testing during the winter, setting excellent times, so I would say
we are ready. I hope to shake off this bronchitis and get back to form
in time for the opening round. I'm feeling confident about the season
ahead and can't wait for it to start".
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