Sepang test Day 1
POSITIVE DEBUT FOR DUCATI - BRIDGESTONE TYRE TEST TEAM
Tester Shinichi Itoh gets to grips with the Desmosedici at
Sepang. Carlos Checa also on the track for an extra day's
testing.
Sepang (Malaysia), 10 February 2005 - The Tyre Test Team
made its debut today on the Malaysian track in typically torrid
conditions (38-40° air/62° track), but the first day's
running has already produced positive results.
In the morning Shinichi Itoh started off by switching between
the two new GP5 machines, which will be given to Loris Capirossi
and Carlos Checa tomorrow. The presence of the Japanese rider
has enabled the new bike to be given its shakedown before
the two Ducati Marlboro Team riders start testing tomorrow.
At around 4.30 in the afternoon Itoh started working with
the Ducati-Bridgestone Tyre Test Team Desmosedici GP4 that
he will have at his disposal for this session. He ended the
day with a best time of 2m04.30s.
Carlos Checa was also hard at work, starting a day earlier
than his team-mate Loris Capirossi, who will begin his Malaysia
test tomorrow Friday.
The Spanish rider, who was forced to miss the final two days
of testing in January, wanted to get an early start to make
up for the time lost.
"I am pleased to be able to have this possibility"
declared Checa, "Today was useful because it helped me
to shake off a bit of accumulated 'rust'. Unfortunately two
weeks ago I was not feeling well and I only tested the first
day, so today was more or less my first time out in 2005.
Now I am ready to put my head down and work for the three
days of testing ahead".
Carlos completed a total of 40 laps, setting a quickest time
of 2m 03. 60s.
Loris Capirossi will be testing with Checa from tomorrow
to Sunday.
Carlos Checa: 2m03.60s
Shinichi Itoh: 2m04.30s
|
