Qatar – QP1 MotoGP – The Ducati discovers the desert circuit

Doha (Qatar) Thursday 30 September 2004 – The Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss concluded the first timed practice session of the Marlboro Grand Prix of Qatar in 12th and 15th position respectively.
Loris and Troy became familiar with the torrid Losail circuit (38° air – 48° asphalt) with the aim of obtaining as much traction as possible. The sand coming from the surrounding desert, in fact, deposits on the track making it particularly slippery. Even many riders this morning, when the track was in even worse conditions than this afternoon, had the sensation of riding in the rain. Fortunately, grip is gradually improving, as demonstrated by the times recorded in the afternoon, which were a good six seconds lower than those of the morning's free practice.

“The circuit is still very slippery and it is only the first day of testing on a new track, so there is no point in taking too many risks to get an exceptional time – said Livio Suppo, director of the Ducati Marlboro Team – We have seen many outings of track in both sessions today, which proves how little grip this track offers. Let's hope that the situation improves in the next two days, when the bikes will have "rubbed" the circuit more. The heat is really terrible, but we see it as a good test for ourselves and for our technical partners Michelin and Shell Advance!”.

The Qatar Grand Prix, the 13th of the 16 events on the 2004 MotoGP calendar, will be the first motorcycle GP in the Middle East. It will be hosted by the brand new Losail circuit, costing 58 million dollars and built in Doha, the capital of Qatar, a few kilometers from the Persian Gulf.

Ducati Press