Ducati Testing In Effort To Bring 2004 Desmosedici Back From Outer Space

Ducati Testing In Effort To Bring 2004 Desmosedici Back From Outer Space

© 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM MAKES SUCCESSFUL BACK-TO-BACK TESTS AT LE MANS

Le Mans (France), Monday 17 May 2004 – Comparative tests carried out today by the Ducati Marlboro Team with the 2003 and the 2004 versions of the Ducati Desmosedici have brought about the much hoped for results. Thanks to warm and sunny weather (air 25°C/track 44°C), the Italian squad was able to work in perfect conditions and back-to-back testing of the 2003 version allowed Borgo Panigale engineers to carry out some fundamental modifications to the Desmosedici GP4 that proved to be positive.

“Today we picked up some positive indications of the real potential of the Desmosedici GP4” commented Ducati Marlboro Team director Livio Suppo. “Both riders and engineers are extremely satisfied with the work done and with the modifications made to the GP4. This is a demonstration that the GP4 project is a sound one, has a lot of potential and only requires the necessary development to bring results.”

Troy Bayliss was satisfied with today’s test, which helped him regain some confidence in the Desmosedici GP4. The Australian, with a 2004 bike that had been modified with input from the team engineers after he had tested a version of last year’s machine, completed a total of 71 laps, recording a quickest time of 1:33.5.

“I am really pleased with the work we did today, and we were able to make a major step forward. We learnt a lot and now I can’t wait to get back out onto the track. The changes we made today allowed me to push a lot harder but without taking any risks.”

It was also positive for Loris Capirossi, who continued back-to-back testing of the 2003 and 2004 bikes throughout the day. The Italian rider got through a lot of work, completing 63 laps and recording a quickest time of 1:34.1.

“We really needed this test: we managed to understand a lot of useful things for the development of the GP4. I preferred to focus on the test without going for a quick time, but now I’ll be going back home, feeling satisfied with the way the day went and confident about the future.”

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