POSITIVE RESULTS FOR DUCATI IN SEPANG TESTING
 Final
intense day of testing for Carlos Checa and Shinichi Itoh,
who concentrated on race tyres and set-up and the latest generation
Bridgestones. Loris Capirossi out on track despite flu.
Sepang (Malaysia), 13 February 2005 - Ducati's second winter
testing session at the Sepang circuit concluded today in less
torrid heat than usual, which allowed riders and engineers
to work in better conditions than the previous days (33°
air/48° track).
The Ducati-Bridgestone Tyre Test Team returns home decidedly
satisfied with this first testing session, which helped to
bed in the new team and to lay the groundwork for the work
ahead in the 2005 season. The Ducati Marlboro Team on the
other hand will get very little rest as it heads for Australia,
where it will continue development work on the Desmosedici
GP5 from 17-19 February.
Loris Capirossi returned in the morning and immediately set
a respectable time of 2m01.452s in his 42 laps. The Italian
was also out on the track in the afternoon but was forced
to call it a day as he continued to feel the effects of flu.
"It was a pity I was unable to get the most out of these
days here at Sepang, but I wasn't really feeling well at all"
declared Capirossi. "However I'm pretty pleased with
what we managed to do, I like the bike a lot and I can immediately
set a good pace. Hopefully I'll be in top form at Phillip
Island".
Today was another hard day at work for team-mate Carlos Checa,
who completed an excellent long-run using a latest-generation
rear tyre. Checa did a 22-lap race simulation, maintaining
a constant pace at around the low 2m02s mark.
"I had a good final day" commented Carlos, "and
in particular a good long-run with a new rear tyre, which
let me do an entire race distance at an excellent pace. I
can't wait to arrive in Australia to get back to work again".
The Spanish rider completed a total of 77 laps today, with
a best time of 2m01.844s.
Shinichi Itoh completed his acclimatisation work with the
Tyre Test Team and the new bike as he continued with tyre
development and focussed mainly on new race tyre compounds.
The Japanese test-rider completed 43 laps today, setting a
quickest time of 2m02.907s.
"I am really pleased with the innovations that 2005 has
brought" declared Shinichi. "In Ducati I have found
a very friendly and professional atmosphere. I also like the
Desmosedici GP4, which I rode for the first time here at Sepang.
Now I can say that I know it quite well and I have a good
impression: I can't wait to step onto the GP5".
The Ducati Marlboro Team comes away from the Sepang with
positive results and full of enthusiasm for the next tests.
"We only concentrated on race set-up and we are really
pleased with the way the testing session went" declared
Corrado Cecchinelli, Ducati Marlboro Team Technical Director.
"The tests carried out with the two new GP5 machines
and with the new compounds went the way we hoped, and above
all we have already managed to do a race distance with the
new tyres. I am very pleased with the Test Tyre Team, with
the way the work is progressing and its long-term development
plan. I also like Itoh's approach: despite the fact that he
only had one GP4 available, I was particularly impressed with
the times he recorded and flattered by his positive comments
about our bike".
Ducati Marlboro Team will be on track again:
February 17/18/19 (Phillip Island)
March 1/2/3 (Doha)
March 18/19/29 (IRTA Test - Barcelona)
March 25/26/27 (IRTA Test - Jerez)
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