The following is from Ducati…
The Ducati Xerox Team has spent the last three days on track at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in South Africa, participating in the Pirelli tyre test session.
On the third and final day both Ducati Xerox factory riders, Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio, continued to make strong progress on board their 1098 F09 machines. In the first half hour of this final day, Michel went well under the 1m40s barrier, registering a flying lap of 1m39.7s on a qualifying tyre, the fastest lap ever made by a motorcycle at the Kyalami track.
Noriyuki has built up confidence with his new Ducati F09, and leaves South Africa in a positive frame of mind. Nori also lapped in under 1m40, registering a fastest time today 1m39.9s, the third fastest time to be clocked this week.
Michel Fabrizio
“We tried qualifiers today and as I thought it allowed me to go just a little faster than I had so far. I was aiming to break the 1m40s barrier and succeeded, and even on the race tyre I managed 1m40 dead which wasn’t bad. This afternoon got more difficult as I was very tired after the non-stop riding but all things considered, I’m very happy with how the three days has gone. This winter I’m concentrating a lot on training and physical preparation so as to be as fit as possible in time for the opening round at Phillip Island.”
Davide Tardozzi – Team Manager –
“I’d say that for a first test session we are more than satisfied. Both our riders have worked very hard and the results speak for themselves, very positive. Haga has been working well with his new team and there have been no particular problems. We’re confident that we’ll be ready for the start of the new season.”
