Ducati commences three-day Jerez test

The Ducati MotoGP team began a three-day test with Franco Battaini at Jerez on Monday, as the new GP11 bike was put through its paces at the Spanish circuit. The Italian is in charge of setup work on the machine before handing the bike over to Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden for pre-season testing.

The new Ducati bike was launched at last week’s Wrooom event at the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort in north-east Italy, with Rossi making his first appearance in Ducati colors. Guarsechi is confident that the work completed in Jerez will help uncover some valuable data about the Desmosedici bike.

“It was a very productive day even though the track’s grip was really bad, in part because of the high humidity and in part because the F3 test that took place until yesterday left the asphalt quite dirty. As planned, ‘Batta’ [Battaini] and I divided the responsibilities," Ducati Team Manager Vittoriano Guareschi commented.

"I worked on the chassis with the goal of improving turn-in, while Franco concentrated on the electronics, including the new anti-wheelie and anti-spin systems that we’re testing and adjusting. I think I found a couple of interesting things with set-up that help with the front-end feel.

"We worked on ride height, seat position, and on many aspects of bike set-up that will help with all of the data-acquisition work that are necessary to be ready for Malaysia, when Vale and Nicky will ask us to change the bike in various ways. It’s a refinement process that will proceed for the two days in order to speed up the factory riders’ work in Malaysia."