From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION
Valencia (Spain)
Monday 9 December, 2002

HODGSON (DUCATI 999 SUPERBIKE) SETS STUNNING LAP TIMES AT VALENCIA

Neil Hodgson (Ducati 999 Factory ’03) set some stunning lap times on the third and final day of Superbike testing at Valencia as the British rider started off his Ducati Corse WSBK campaign in the best possible way with a new unofficial track record. His 1:34.4 mark, set on qualifying tyres, was two-tenths of a second quicker than the time recorded by Bostrom (Ducati L&M) during qualifying for last March’s World Superbike race at the Ricardo Tormo circuit. Hodgson also lapped strongly on race tyres, setting a best time of 1:35.0 during his 89 laps of the track.

Hodgson, who today focussed mainly on Michelin tyre testing, was pleased with the results of the three-day session. “I’m really happy because I didn’t put myself under any pressure at all. We’re working one step at a time and today in particular I didn’t feel I was going for a quick time. I’m really pleased with the 999, and the feeling with it is so good. Even though Valencia is not one of my favourite tracks, I enjoyed riding here and the times came easily.”

Ducati Superbike team-mate Ruben Xaus also managed to set some interesting times during his 56 laps. The Spanish rider recorded a 1:35.2 early in the morning, and said he was enthusiastic about the new 999. “The bike is really good and competitive already”, commented Ruben, “and I like it a lot. We’ve still got a bit of work to do to learn its reactions, because it’s very different to the 998, but it’s already looking a good starting-base for the 2003 championship.”

Ernesto Marinelli, Superbike Track Technical Director, added: “We can consider ourselves satisfied with the outcome of the test. We completed the vast programme of tyre testing, which gave us excellent indications for the race. In addition both riders lapped strongly on race tyres and were satisfied with the bike.”