From a press release:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION
Mugello (Italy), 12 September 2002

BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) TESTS AT MUGELLO IN VIEW OF IMOLA FINAL ROUND

Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) completed an intense testing session with excellent results at the Mugello Circuit in Tuscany today in view of the World Superbike Championship decider, which will be held at Imola on September 29th.

The reigning world champion, who will arrive at the final round one point behind his Texan rival Colin Edwards (Honda) after losing the leadership of the championship he had held since the opening round, was able to try out a package of modifications which will be used at the Imola race.

With his Ducati 998 Factory ’02, Troy completed a total of 68 laps, setting a best time of 1:53.8 on race tyres, which represents his all-time personal best at Mugello. Bayliss said he was satisfied with the work carried out and was ready for the final decisive race.

“We came here to test in view of the Imola race” declared Troy. “In the last few rounds I’ve really had to struggle to get good results but, with the modifications we tested today, the bike feels the same as it did at the start of the season. I’ve never lapped so fast around Mugello, and even though Imola is a different track altogether, I’m feeling good about the final round of the championship”.

The Santerno circuit was not chosen as test-track for the Italian manufacturer because no days were available during the month of September in which the noise level could exceed 70 decibels.

While Troy was involved in testing his 998, the Ducati Corse R&D team were hard at work on two other fronts, again with positive results.


Third outing at the Mugello circuit in less than two months for the Ducati Desmosedici, the bike with which the Bologna-based manufacturer will take part in the 2003 MotoGP championship. In his 54 laps, Italian test-rider Vittoriano Guareschi completed a race simulation, the equivalent of the distance of this year’s Italian GP.

Testing also continued for Ducati’s new bike for the SBK World Championship, the 999, this time with Ducati Infostrada’s Ruben Xaus. The Spanish rider completed a total of 70 laps.