Qatar - Test
BAYLISS AND FABRIZIO COMPLETE FINAL TEST SESSION
IN QATAR BEFORE SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP OPENS
Bayliss and Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) took to the track this
week in Qatar, taking part in the final test sessions before
the Superbike championship begins on 23rd February. Faced
with blistering track temperatures, Bayliss got back to business
after an enforced rest period due to a broken collarbone,
and clocked up a total of 55 laps on Wednesday with a fastest
lap time of 1m58.8s. Team-mate Fabrizio registered a fastest
lap time of 1m59.6s, completing a total of 71 laps on this,
the second and last day of testing for the Ducati Xerox Team.
Troy Bayliss 1m58.8s
"I'm pretty happy with how things have gone here. On
Tuesday we sorted out a few "gremlins" so to speak.
We had a brand new bike here and it always takes a bit of
time to run in so we hope that we have solved those problems
before next week's race. We've tried different things today
with regard to set-up and I managed to complete 55 laps. Lap
times were good and we were able to do a long-run after lunch
too which went well. I'm also pretty positive about my condition,
as although yesterday I wasn't feeling so comfortable with
the bikes settings, I felt much better today after we changed
a few things and I think I can say I'm pretty much back to
normal. I'm happy I still have another week to get even fitter
before next week."
Michel Fabrizio 1m59.6s
"It went well here this week. Yesterday we had a few
technical problems but today it all went much better and I'm
happy with the progress we made. Today I managed to do 10
laps, each in under 2 minutes, and a total of 71 laps. I'd
say that we're ready for the race next week and I can't wait
for the championship to begin!"
TIMES (Wednesday): Bayliss (Ducati Xerox)
1m58.8s; Corser (Yamaha) 1m59.0s; Haga (Yamaha) 1m59.6s; Fabrizio
(Ducati Xerox) 1m59.6s
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