From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI DESMOSEDICI TAKES TO THE TRACK AT JEREZ WITH FACTORY RIDERS CAPIROSSI AND BAYLISS

Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss completed the first day of testing of the Ducati Desmosedici today at the difficult Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Spain, the venue for round 3 of the 2003 MotoGP championship.

It was the first time that the Bologna manufacturer has tested at the Jerez track in Andalusia.

After Valencia testing two weeks ago, today was the second time out for Italian Capirossi, who has the opportunity to test his new bike on a track he knows and loves well, whereas it was the first time that Australian Bayliss had ever seen the track.

In ideal conditions (air 20° / track 28° C max.), the Ducati Corse squad continued its scheduled workload, testing several components aimed at developing chassis set-up.

Capirossi and Bayliss lapped with the ‘four-pulse’ configuration of the Desmosedici power-unit, while tomorrow’s test session will also see the ‘twin-pulse’ version of the Italian V4 engine used.

Both riders put in a significant number of laps; 50 for Loris and 60 for Troy.

Testing continues tomorrow and Wednesday.

Ducati Corse is unable to supply any images of Loris Capirossi or rider comments until the end of 2002.