From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Valencia (Spain) –
Wednesday 5 November 2003 –
MotoGP – Ducati Marlboro Team Testing

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM BACK ON TRACK AGAIN AT VALENCIA:
BOTH CAPIROSSI (1:33.4) AND BAYLISS (1:33.5) SET QUICK TIMES WITH EARLY 2004-SPEC BIKE.


Just a couple of days after the end of Ducati’s superb debut season in MotoGP, the team and riders are again hard at work in view of 2004.

The Valencia track, where Loris Capirossi took the Desmosedici to another podium in last Sunday’s championship finale, was the scene for a two-day test session in preparation for the 2004 season.

Both Capirossi and Bayliss tested the 2003 bikes, which sported a series of modifications. The Italian and the Australian used the same tyre as on Sunday and the identical weather conditions gave the team the chance to compare data with their performance in the race.

The results increased the climate of optimism within the team, which will be aiming to capitalise on its excellent 2003 performance. Loris and Troy both improved on Sunday’s quickest lap times and were able to maintain a positive pace throughout the two-day session.

Capirossi completed 47 laps yesterday and 33 today, including a long-run this afternoon. The Italian rider’s best time was 1:33.4 (almost five-tenths quicker than his fastest race lap of 1:33.89).

Bayliss was just a fraction slower, the Australian recording a time of 1:33.5, a major improvement on the 1:34.65 he clocked in Sunday’s race. Troy covered 62 laps yesterday, including a race simulation, and 59 today.

Both riders and engineers were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the test, which was aimed at trying out components to improve the bike’s handling, in particular at a difficult and twisty track like Valencia.

The Ducati Marlboro Team is scheduled to make two more testing appearances before the end of the year: 24-26 November at Jerez and 10-12 December at Valencia.