Winter testing session - Phillip Island, Australia
POSITIVE PERFORMANCE BY THE DUCATI GP7 ON THE DIFFICULT
PHILLIP ISLAND CIRCUIT
A three-day test for Ducati at the Phillip Island circuit
got underway today. The excellent work carried out by the
Ducati Marlboro Team in the recent tests at Sepang allowed
Loris Capirossi to rapidly find a good set-up on his Desmosedici
GP7 and he ended the day just a few tenths of a second off
the circuit record.
The first day of testing on his home circuit for Casey Stoner
was also positive. As well as starting the schedule for the
three days, the young Australian has also completely resolved
the problems with his forearms that had conditioned his testing
in Malaysia and was able to put in a total of 60 laps before
the session was cut short by rain.
The early ideal conditions (sunny, 24°C) gradually gave
way to strong winds and then rain at around 4pm in the afternoon.
The forecasts however are positive for tomorrow and especially
for Thursday's final day.
Loris Capirossi (46 laps, best time 1m30.78s)
"I am satisfied, today we worked well and completed
the entire schedule for today. The settings we found at Sepang
allowed us to start from a good base which proved to be valid
also for this track and the bike went well right from the
early laps, even though we still have margin for improvement.
As we are already at a good point with the set-up, tomorrow
we'll start working on the tyres seeing as today we only used
2006-spec rubber. I am feeling really confident and pleased
with the way the bike's development is going".
Casey Stoner (60 laps, best time 1m31.44s)
"It's great to be at home and feel good on the bike:
the problems with my arms that I had at Sepang have completely
cleared up and today I was able to concentrate on the bike.
We are mainly working on the rear set-up to improve stability
coming out of corners and we have a few things to try tomorrow
when we start using the new tyres. Today I did 60 laps and
I would have continued had it not started to rain. Let's hope
that the weather is good tomorrow because I'm anxious to continue
working with the Desmosedici".
Phillip Island lap record: Marco Melandri (Honda) 2005, 1m30.332s
Phillip Island pole record: Nicky Hayden (Honda) 2006, 1m29.020s
Temperature: air 24° / track from 20° to 30°C
Unofficial times, Tuesday 30 January:
Barros (Ducati) 1m30.60s (51 laps)
Melandri (Honda) 1m30.70s (67)
Capirossi (Ducati) 1m30.78s (46)
Hayden (Honda) 1m31.18s (45)
Pedrosa (Honda) 1m31.29s (78)
Stoner (Ducati) 1m31.44s (60)
Hofmann (Ducati) 1m31.55s (74)
Hopkins (Suzuki) 1m31.80s (55)
Checa (Honda) 1m31.80s (-)
Roberts Jr. (KR) 1m31.90s (80)
Elias 1m32.00s (Honda) (-)
Vermeulen (Suzuki) 1m32.00s (54)
Nakano (Honda) 1m32.23s (48)
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