DUCATI MARLBORO MEN TAKE ON CATALUNYA
Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa
found the first day challenge at Catalunya a tough one, with
Capirossi taking overall sixth best time and Checa 13th.
Up to fourth in the early part of the afternoon's second
session Capirossi slid down the order for a time, until he
put in his best lap with only three minutes remaining. His
best lap was only 0.568 seconds from the quickest of the day.
With times combined from morning and afternoon sessions, Capirossi's
fifth best time in the second hour became sixth best overall.
Checa, riding on his home circuit, spent his first two session
working on the set-up and balance of his machine, attempting
to find an elusive mix of agility and corner exit speed.
"Last time we came here we had a little trouble when
both riders crashed," said Ducati MotoGP Project Manager
Livio Suppo. "I think that means that we are missing
a bit of set-up when compared to the others at present. We
also tested new tyres. Loris did a good job but I think that
Carlos is still struggling for set-up a little bit. I think
we can be confident of making improvements in both lap time
and race set-up tomorrow."
CAPIROSSI SIXTH FASTEST IN LAST MINUTES
Loris Capirossi fought to a fine sixth place after the combined
early sessions, but still looks to Saturday for the improvements
he needs for the 25-lap race on Sunday.
"We came here very motivated after Mugello but we knew
that it would still be very difficult," said the Italian.
"We found some problems this morning with the way the
front tyre works at this track. Bridgestone have worked a
lot since the IRTA tests, but we are still missing something.
We have some new tyres to try tomorrow and I will make some
changes in the set-up to suit them. I hope that these will
be the solution. The team is working well so I am sure we
can improve."
CHECA BUILDING CONFIDENCE
Carlos Checa spent his first day attempting to improve the
feel and set-up of his Desmosedici, yet still set a time only
1.2 seconds from fastest rider Marco Melandri.
"I did not find the correct way to help me to go fast,"
said the Spaniard, racing at his home circuit "I do not
have the confidence to push hard with the feeling I have from
the bike right now. I know the track very well because it
is my home race, so we need to adjust the bike to find a better
compromise. I am losing some time turning into corners and
on the exits as well - especially during the T3 section of
the track."
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