POSITIVE DEBUT FOR ALEX BARROS ON THE NEW DUCATI GP7 AT
JEREZ
Under ideal weather conditions at the Jerez circuit in Spain,
ALEX BARROS had a positive debut on his brand new DUCATI GP7
800cc, equipped with BRIDGESTONE tires. The PRAMAC D’ANTIN
Brazilian rider, who didn’t ride the first day of the
test due to rain and poor track conditions, got his first
taste of the new machine and began working diligently on the
testing program that the Team had prepared. BARROS ultimately
clocked 63 laps, with the best time of 1’43.187, and
was feeling very good about the initial sensations of the
bike.
Tomorrow will be the last test day of 2006, and after the
winter test ban from December 1st to January 22nd 2007, the
PRAMAC D’ANTIN Team will fly to Malaysia for the first
pre-season test at the Sepang circuit on January 22nd.
ALEX BARROS #4 (1’43.187, 63 laps): “I
am very satisfied with the positive impressions I had on the
new Ducati 800cc. Our first real test day was useful to discover
the potential of the DUCATI-BRIDGESTONE binomial, and I am
very happy about the Bridgestone performance. We worked on
the machine balance and we can definitely improve our times
with chassis and suspension changes. Basically, this was my
first full day of testing with the new generation 800cc, and
I just need more laps on the machine to understand it's nuances,
but its definitely easier to ride than the 990cc. It has higher
corner speed, and you can get on the gas very hard and really
early with this bike. It was an intense day, as I predicted,
but there were a lot of interesting discoveries we made. I
need to get as many practice laps on the bike as possible
to help unlock the secrets of the GP7, and to see the direction
we need to take in order to find the best possible set-up
for the machine. Both the team and I are very motivated, as
this a completely new start for us. We want to be competitive
in the next season”.
“We are satisfied with our first day of testing. B
FABIANO STERLACCHINI - Alex Barros Track Engineer:
ARROS started to discover the new machine's potential, and
his confidence in the package at his disposal is high. We
initially worked to set the bike up for his physique and his
riding style. In the morning we worked on the engine map definition,
then on the rear suspension setting, and finished the day
focusing on the front. Today’s gathered data is a good
base for us to start tomorrow’s work”.
Unofficial Times – Day 2:
1. Valentino Rossi 1’40.688 (82 laps)
2. Dani Pedrosa 1’40.799 (61 laps)
3. Colin Edwards 1’41.186 (48 laps)
4. John Hopkins 1’41.205 (60 laps)
5. Chris Vermulen 1’41.619 (56 laps)
10. Alex Barros 1’43.187 (63 laps)Conditions:
Dry / Air: 19°c / Ground: 23°c
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