SECOND DAY ON THE SNOWS OF MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO FOR THE
DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM
Loris Capirossi follows on from Sete Gibernau in press conference.
New Ducati Desmosedici GP6 launched.
Wrooom 2006, Madonna di Campiglio (Tn), Italy, January 18
- The Wrooom MotoGP Press Ski Meeting 2006 continues for a
second day at Madonna di Campiglio in northern Italy. Today,
in a unique and spectacular setting - the finish-line of the
legendary '3-Tre' course at Campiglio - the Ducati Marlboro
Team pulled the wraps off the Desmosedici GP6, the new MotoGP
machine that Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau will be campaigning
this season.
Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse Managing-Director, was on
hand to illustrate the key technical changes for the new bike
from the Borgo Panigale manufacturer.
 "Racing
in MotoGP allows us to operate with machines that are pure
prototypes, developing technology that will subsequently be
transferred to our production bikes. Ducati has always borrowed
concepts and innovations from the racing world, and we transfers
the possible benefits to our entire production range"
declared Domenicali to the press after unveiling the Desmosedici
GP6. "The Desmosedici GP6 represents an evolution of
the GP5; apparently it doesn't present any marked differences
with its predecessor, but it is in fact an important step
forward. The bike is lighter but we have done a lot of work
on its stiffness (with the frame, rims and front forks), especially
at the rear of the bike. The composite structure that we call
the seat support has been totally redesigned and stiffness
has been increased by more than 80%. The bike's ergonomics
have undergone a notable evolution with the fuel tank modified
in line with requests from the riders. We have also focussed
on the bike's 'driveability', and in this area we have made
available a whole new range of instruments and technologies
that will allow the race engineers to package the power behaviour
and delivery of the engine according to the requests of the
riders and the conditions of the track. We have also worked
on engine power, modifying the internal fluid dynamics and
as a result we have a different thermodynamic layout. We have
attempted to increase power as well as reduce fuel consumption,
an area to which we have dedicated a lot of attention, by
working maniacally on engine friction. One point of which
we are particularly proud is the reliability of the bike;
in 2005 we took part in 17 races with two riders, without
ever having a problem, and we have also maintained this line
for the next season."
"The evolution of the bike has obviously involved our
partner, Bridgestone. Even though we know that we still have
some work to do on certain kinds of track, we also know that
we are on the right road and the results of the last few races
of last season confirmed this improvement; our aim now is
to be competitive at every circuit."
"The 2006 team is a very strong one on the rider front.
Loris is a confirmation for us and as soon as the bike-tyre
package allows, he makes no mistakes and brings home great
results. A warm welcome for Sete Gibernau, whose joining us
is a clear demonstration of the importance that is given in
our team to the role of the riders: Sete is a great rider
and he and Loris together make up a great team."
Then it was the turn of Loris Capirossi who appears more
motivated and fired-up than ever on the eve of his fourth
season with the Bologna manufacturer and team.
 "I
have seen the birth of this project" declared Loris on
greeting the press at Wroom 2006, "and I consider it
to be an honour to still be in the team and still be riding
the Desmosedici. It is a fantastic, stimulating project that
has given us some great satisfaction but which, I feel sure,
will give us some more this season. For 2006 we have an extremely
efficient package with great potential, thanks to the development
and evolution that the bike has had and to the collaboration
with similarly motivated and capable partners, like Bridgestone,
who demonstrated what they were capable of last year. We've
still got some way to go obviously and our championship begins
at the forthcoming tests in Malaysia. Our aim will be to produce
good performances on a regular basis, which will be the key
for the difficult season that lies ahead of us. The team is
strong and motivated and everyone is working with great professionalism,
expertise and seriousness, we are truly a great team!"
Regarding his new team-mate, Sete Gibernau, Loris added:
"We are working well together despite going in different
directions, but we both have the same aim - to have a bike
that allows us to fight for the win. Sete is a great rider,
I get on well with him and the collaboration between us since
the first day of testing confirms the Ducati Marlboro Team's
potential for the 2006 season."
Tomorrow will be the final day of Wroom 2006. Guests will
bid farewell to the snows of Madonna di Campiglio with a slalom
race on the Grosté course between Ducati Corse riders
and management and journalists.
From Monday the Ducati Marlboro Team will get down to its
first test of the new season at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia
(January 23-25), immediately followed by another three-day
test session at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia from
January 30 to February 2.
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