From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

ERIC BOSTROM TRIES DUCATI 999 OUT FOR SIZE



Bologna (Italy), December 1, 2003: Today saw the first visit to the Bologna factory for Eric Bostrom, the rider Ducati Corse have chosen to head the Italian manufacturer’s attack on the AMA Superbike championship.

The 27 year-old from San Francisco, California tried out the 2004 version of the Ducati 999 factory bike he will be using in next year’s 18-race US domestic championship in the race department, just before it gets freighted off to America.

He also took a tour round the Ducati Corse racing department, meeting up with the two Ducati Corse team personnel who will be following him next year, race engineer Luca Ferraccioli and mechanic Claudio Peiretti.

Eric then concluded the visit with a brief meeting with Ducati Corse managing director and SBK director Paolo Ciabatti.

“It’s awesome to be with Ducati. I’m besides myself for words. It’s such a tight family and so performance-oriented that I just want to be a big key in getting the success back in the States. I don’t want to jump the gun, I just want to get on the bike and ride it and have a good time” declared Eric.

Eric Bostrom will be taking part in two days of Michelin testing at Daytona International Speedway this coming Thursday and Friday in preparation for the opening AMA round at the Florida circuit on March 3-6 of next year.