Superbike, Lausitzring Test: positive feedback for Ducati

The private test session at EuroSpeedway Lausitz, in Germany, ended yesterday, Wednesday 26 July, for some of the teams participating in the World Series Championship.

The variable weather, with rain on Tuesday morning and Wednesday afternoon, paradoxically helped the work of the teams, who were able to put together many kilometers in wet conditions, rarely encountered during the season.

Aruba Racing Ducati was also on track to prepare for the Prosecco DOC German Round scheduled on the same circuit from 18 to 20 August, with Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri engaged in set-up tests for qualifying and the race, from which they obtained good sensations.
The final, unofficial chronometric results show the Welsh driver fourth with a 1'36”8, two tenths behind Jonathan Rea, and the Italian sixth with a 1'37”4.

“In general it was a positive test” – he declared Chaz Davies – During the first day we did some experiments, trying to get out of our usage window a little. This morning I couldn't wait to get on track with the 'standard' package to better understand our level. We still have small margins for improvement, but I'm happy with the sensations that the Panigale R gave me with our basic set-up. We've done some important work, trying a lot of changes, and I think we've learned something interesting. Also, it was important to shoot in the rain. I think we have made a good step forward with the set-up for wet conditions and I am very satisfied. Physically I'm fine, I only felt a slight discomfort in my back in the first few hours but it wasn't a problem. Now we will take a break to recharge our batteries for the next challenge"

“It was an important test for us, especially because it was a new track for me and it would have been really difficult to be competitive in Friday free practice without references” – he said Marco Melandri – “The track itself is fun, but it's not easy to learn because the curve radii are a bit particular and above all because the potholes force you to make quite anomalous lines. However, we managed to complete almost all of our work program, we just needed a little time to finalize the finishing touches. However, it was important to run in the wet, especially because this track has little grip and represents a good test bed, and we found a good feeling. Then as the rain intensified we decided not to take any risks and stop. They were a challenging two days, but we found some good ideas to start from during the race weekend."