Post by DazListic on Feb 13, 2007 15:44:28 GMT
Vallelunga (Italy),
The Ducati Xerox Team has concluded its pre-season testing schedule with two days at the Vallelunga circuit
on the outskirts of Rome, where the penultimate round of the World Superbike Championship will be held in September.
For two-times world champion Bayliss, it was his first taste of the Vallelunga circuit, while Lorenzo Lanzi has already raced
here in 2003, on the old track before recent modifications lengthened it to 4.11 km. Sunday's good weather was followed by wintry
conditions today, but at the end of the two days both riders were pleased with the work done in view of the championship opener
in Qatar in a couple of weeks time
The quickest time of the test, 1m38.5s, was set on Sunday by Troy Bayliss, who also had positive things to say about the Rome track.
"I guess the most important thing for us was to actually come here because it's the only place on the calendar this year that I
haven't seen" declared Troy. "We were limited with laps due to the weather but considering the time I had yesterday we did a pretty
good job, setting 38.5 a few times when we only rode in the afternoon and today we made hardly any laps either. This afternoon I went
out in the rain as well, which was confidence-inspiring because it's been a while since I've ridden in the rain. I like the circuit
because it's got a bit of character about it, very up and down, and quite physical as well but I think it'll make for a good race here.
The championship starts in ten days time and I'm born ready!"
The Ducati Xerox Team has concluded its pre-season testing schedule with two days at the Vallelunga circuit
on the outskirts of Rome, where the penultimate round of the World Superbike Championship will be held in September.
For two-times world champion Bayliss, it was his first taste of the Vallelunga circuit, while Lorenzo Lanzi has already raced
here in 2003, on the old track before recent modifications lengthened it to 4.11 km. Sunday's good weather was followed by wintry
conditions today, but at the end of the two days both riders were pleased with the work done in view of the championship opener
in Qatar in a couple of weeks time
The quickest time of the test, 1m38.5s, was set on Sunday by Troy Bayliss, who also had positive things to say about the Rome track.
"I guess the most important thing for us was to actually come here because it's the only place on the calendar this year that I
haven't seen" declared Troy. "We were limited with laps due to the weather but considering the time I had yesterday we did a pretty
good job, setting 38.5 a few times when we only rode in the afternoon and today we made hardly any laps either. This afternoon I went
out in the rain as well, which was confidence-inspiring because it's been a while since I've ridden in the rain. I like the circuit
because it's got a bit of character about it, very up and down, and quite physical as well but I think it'll make for a good race here.
The championship starts in ten days time and I'm born ready!"
