From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM ENCOUNTERS WET WEATHER CONDITIONS AT VALENCIA

Valencia (Spain), 29 November 2004 – Poor weather conditions at the Valencia circuit in Spain (air 19°/track 13°C) hampered the first day of testing for the Ducati Marlboro Team today. The track, which remained wet despite the rain stopping in the afternoon, failed to dry out and conditions for the riders were particularly difficult all day.

Loris Capirossi and team-mate Carlos Checa however took the opportunity to try out three different kinds of Bridgestone wet-weather tyres.

Carlos, who rode the Desmosedici GP5 for the first time, completed a total of 24 laps, setting a best time of 1:48.14 with the new-spec machine, while Loris completed 26 laps on the GP4 with a quickest time of 1:48.56.

The two Ducati Marlboro Team riders were, as at Jerez last week, again joined by Régis Laconi. The French rider focussed on engine mapping work for the ‘laboratory’ version of the Desmosedici, setting a best time of 1:51.48 out of a total of 26 laps.

The Ducati Marlboro Team’s test schedule and the tyre testing programme for next season will continue tomorrow with a second day at Valencia, the final session before the enforced winter testing break.