From a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Monday 20 January 2003

Walker’s successful test

HM Plant Ducati’s Chris Walker completed a successful two-day test at Valencia in Spain on Saturday as the countdown to the start of the 2003 Superbike World Championship continues. However, James Toseland was unable to complete the team’s second pre-season test at the Spanish circuit after injuring a hand in a crash on Friday morning.

Walker is making good progress from the injuries he sustained after breaking an ankle in a Supermoto crash in Belgium three months ago. After undergoing a series of operations, the Nottingham rider is returning to full fitness and getting to grips with the power and handling characteristics of the factory HM Plant Ducati.

“I’m really happy with the progress I’ve made since we were here in December,” said Walker. “I’ve been working hard on all aspects of my fitness and it appears to be paying off. At last I feel that I can ride the bike in anger and I was delighted with my best time of 1:35.3 set on Friday afternoon. The conditions proved to be more difficult on Saturday but we were still able to do a lot of tyre testing with Dunlop.”

Toseland was frustrated after his crash: “It was my own fault, as I was coming into the pits and on a slowing down lap when it happened. I high-sided on the exit of the fast left-right chicane on the approach to turn 15. My hand smashed quite heavily onto the tarmac and I also banged an elbow. Fortunately, the local hospital gave me the all clear, but it was too swollen [the hand] to take any further part in the test. I’m resting it over the next few days and hope I’ll be back to normal for the Almeria test at the weekend.”

HM Plant Ducati Team Manager Colin Wright reflected on the two Valencia tests: “Overall, I’m really happy with the outcome of our pre-season testing to date. Chris worked hard over the past two days and is already on the pace. James was unlucky but he had already put in a lot of good testing before Christmas.

“James and Chris have completed 250 and 200 laps of Valencia respectively on the new HM Plant Ducatis. Both riders are pleased with their settings and have found the work they have done with Dunlop to be extremely productive. It was much windier on Saturday and the track temperature was around 10*C, so the conditions weren’t as good as they were in December. HM Plant Ducati and Dunlop are in good shape for Almeria this weekend – and for our return to Valencia next month.”