From a press release issued by d’Antin Ducati:

Hodgson and Xaus back into action

This weekend the d’Antin MotoGP riders go back into action in the Catalunyan Circuit, where all the teams will take part in the Official MotoGP Test. Three days of hard work will end on a Sunday 45 minutes timed session where the fastest rider will get a valuable price.

Neil Hodgson, Superbikes World Champion, is a fast laps’ specialist with another objective: “I like this circuit although since 1995 I have not had the chance of running here and I remember that at that time I was in a bad patch. Anyway, I am longing to ride the bike once again and to take the very best of this working days. We need to keep making progress and I think that there are other riders more interested in getting the best time on the next Sunday’s session, above all to annoy their rivals and that is not our trouble for the moment”.

Ruben Xaus looks forward to this special meeting because he is from Barcelona and will ride at home: “I already have ridden here, but from 1996 up I have not had the chance and I am thrilled to ride here. Also we will have a chance to work for next June’s Grand Prix and to get some information as we have no reference about this track. We have two bikes and I hope we will manage to take advantage of our possibilities along those three days. As for the Sunday timed session I must admit it is not our objective but if I feel at ease I will do as much as I can”.