Ducati’s aim during this final day of testing at Sepang was to be within a second from their rivals, which didn’t exactly happen as Valentino Rossi finished 1.
2 seconds adrift and in fifth spot, but that was also due to the fact that Casey Stoner set the new record, but the Italian managed to improve 1.
568 seconds over the three days.
It may not seem much compared to the Honda’s and Yamaha’s, but considering that the GP12 got its first real test with the factory riders at Sepang and had no big technical problems, something that Filippo Preziosi was afraid of with a new bike, the Ducati team left Sepang seemingly happy that both Rossi and Nicky Hayden seem happy and confident.
Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) 5th, 2:00.
824 (42 laps)“We on the team are all happy with how this test has gone, especially today.
With a 2:00.
8, we’re starting to get to a decent time.
The two Hondas and the two Yamahas are still ahead of us, but we consider this test to be a starting point.
The most positive things we’ve achieved are that the front now lets me ride a little more as I’m able, that the bike reacts well to changes and that we have very clear ideas on what’s still missing.
In particular, if we manage to improve the bike’s behaviour on acceleration, we’ll be able to take a consistent step forward.
I know that the work has never stopped at Ducati, and now with the information we’ve gathered, they’ll keep working on the areas that we’ve identified.
That might take a while, but there’s still some time before the first race.
We have to keep improving, so we’re not getting too excited, but I’m pleased with how things have gone so far.
”Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) 10th, 2:01.
729 (19 laps)“Obviously, I’d like to have done more.
I can’t really say it was a real test for me, but I did a few laps each morning in order to at least get a feel for the new bike, get a little data and understand a couple of things.
Even in that limited time, I was able to make small improvements and go quicker each day.
Ducati did an amazing job with this bike in a short amount of time.
It’s smoother than any other Ducati I’ve ever ridden, it looks slick and it’s good to work on.
It’s got good power, and the front end is working well, but with the extra power, now we’ve got to find better rear traction at the first touch of the throttle.
With the few adjustments we’ve made, everything seems to be going in a good way, so now I just need to get healthy.
”
