DUCATI FACTORY WSBK TEAM GETS DOWN TO WINTER TESTING IN VALENCIA

Valencia (Spain), 18 November 2004: One month after the end of the 2004 season,
Ducati’s championship-winning World Superbike team got its 2005 campaign
underway with a three-day test session involving several of the top SBK teams at
Valencia in preparation for next year.

Reigning champion James Toseland and team-mate Régis Laconi were present at the
Spanish circuit to test updated versions of the Ducati 999 Factory bikes for the
first time in a session organised by the championship’s exclusive tyre supplier
Pirelli.

In addition to tyre development for next year, the two Ducati riders also tested
new electronic components, including a Marelli EFI engine management system,
together with new Öhlins front forks.

Toseland, who was lapping in some difficulty due to a dislocated right thumb
following a recent accident on an enduro bike, was third quickest behind
pace-setter Troy Corser (Suzuki) and Laconi.

“It feels good to be back on the bike again” declared Toseland, “and Valencia is
a good place to go testing. I cracked a bone in my right thumb last week so I’ve
been in a bit of discomfort these days, but these things happen and it won’t be
an issue in the future.

“Even though I only had one full day on the 2005-spec bike, the changes make it
feel quite different. The front forks are one of the biggest improvements and
the electronics are also a step in the right direction so now I’m looking
forward to a full test at Jerez”.

After getting to within one-tenth of a second of Corser’s best time this
afternoon, Laconi also expressed his satisfaction with the progress that had
been made by Ducati during the tests.

“I gave my best these three days and we really did a lot of work” commented
Régis. “We’re already faster with this bike than the 2004 version and everybody
is working hard to make it even faster.

“With the new Öhlins front forks the feeling is already very good, and Pirelli
brought along a new front tyre for everyone, which was a big help as it was
exactly what I wanted.

“I wasn’t surprised to see Corser up at the front but I wanted to get as close
as possible to him by the end of the tests,” he concluded.

Ducati Corse’s next World Superbike testing session will be at Jerez de la
Frontera, Spain on December 16-17.

TIMES:

 1. Corser (Suzuki)     1’36.0
 2. Laconi (Ducati)     1’36.1
 3. Toseland (Ducati)   1’36.8
 4. Pitt (Yamaha)       1’36.9
 5. Muggeridge (Honda)  1’37.2
 6. Gimbert (Yamaha)    1’37.3
 7. Lanzi (Ducati)      1’37.4
 8. Martin (Petronas)   1’38.5