The comments of L. Capirossi, T. Bayliss and C. Cecchinelli after the QP1 of the MotoGP class in Valencia….

THE DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM READY FOR THE SEASON FINALE

Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss classified
in sixth and ninth place respectively during the first official practice session
of the Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana. Next Sunday's race on
Valencia circuit announces a promising season finale for the team
Italian. Free practice in the morning was affected by rain.
In the afternoon, both Ducati Marlboro Team riders concentrated
to conquer the provisional front row, unfortunately Capirossi is not there
managed to take advantage of the qualifying tire on his flying lap due to the
traffic on the track, while Bayliss was the victim of a spectacular
fall, fortunately without consequences.

“In wet conditions we did quite well, even if we are not
managed to make the best use of the qualifying tires in the afternoon." –
declared the technical director of the Ducati Marlboro Team Conrad Cecchinelli
– “When the weather conditions are so variable and difficult
predictable, it is always better to aim for the front row straight away. Tomorrow it might
rain and this worries us. However, we showed good potential
despite only one hour on a dry track, on a circuit in good condition
different from what we knew. We tested on this track in November
last year and the bike has changed radically since then. Today not
we have made a lot of changes to the bike, and tomorrow we will work on the relative details
to the data collected today.”

Loris Capirossi celebrates its two hundredth grand prix on Sunday
next, after debuting fourteen seasons ago at the age of
sixteen years old in Suzuka, Japan. As usual among the protagonists of the qualifications,
Loris was in fourth place with seven minutes left in practice and then finished
with a provisional sixth place. “All in all we made the most of the hour
of official tests well enough to fine-tune the bike” –
said Capirossi – “This morning we couldn't ride for long
due to the rain. I still have to find the right feeling with the bike, but
for tomorrow we can definitely improve. However, I'm happy with the sixth
time, even though I wasn't able to take advantage of my last lap on the tyre
from qualification due to traffic; I wasted some time and took the flag
just a moment before starting the fast lap. We returned to Valencia
after almost a year and the Desmosedici has completely changed, it behaves
very well
it's a different bike!

On Sunday I will race my two hundredth grand prix, but I don't feel like it
on my shoulders, they have been fourteen happy years and as long as I have the enthusiasm
I will continue to run, certainly up to 232 and, why
no, maybe up to 300 gp.”.

The Ducati Marlboro Team rider Troy bayliss he was a victim
of a fall during today's qualifying, while fighting for the win
of the temporary front row. The Australian driver fell at the entrance
of turn number four six minutes from the end of the qualifying tests.
Diagnosed by the Mobile Clinic, Bayliss suffered a sprain/contusion
to the right shoulder, but thanks to targeted physiotherapy treatments he will be able to
be on track regularly tomorrow.

“I braked too sharply with the rear brake and lost control
of my bike” – commented Bayliss – “I was going fast
and I was wearing hard tyres. Apart from the accident everything was going well,
although I'm still looking for a better feeling. Too bad because
we are very close"

Troy's Desmosedici unfortunately suffered significant damage in the fall
this will force the team mechanics to work hard.
“The front part of the bike is very damaged – he commented
the technical director of the Ducati Marlboro Team Corrado Cecchinelli – furthermore,
as is customary in these cases, we will change the chassis.”