Superbike, Misano Test: mixed feedback for Aruba Racing Ducati

Aruba.it Racing – Ducati today concluded a two-day test at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli to prepare for the seventh round of the Championship and to try to resolve the problems suffered especially on Marco Melandri's Panigale, as a result the two riders tried various components and carried out intense work

Chaz Davies was satisfied with the feedback obtained on the track and aims to use the updates already tested in the Misano round, scheduled for 16 to 18 June.

“It was a positive test. We have completed a detailed program. Even without any major updates, we had a lot of small but important things to try. We concentrated on balancing the bike, doing a lot of laps” – he said Chaz Davies – “We were consistent and fast with race tyres, while with the qualifying tire I slipped at the last corner but everything is OK. The weather conditions were very hot, with around 50 degrees on the asphalt. It was important to find a good base as temperatures are expected to be similar across the race weekend. We just need to sort out a few details with the data collected in the latest tests. I can't wait to race again in front of the Italian fans"

Marco Melandri, on the other hand, did not make the hoped-for progress, however he will have several set-ups to work on at Misano, where he hopes to secure the 100th victory for an Italian rider in WorldSBK right in front of his home crowd.

“We can only be halfway satisfied, I expected something more from these tests. We have done several tests to solve the problem of the rear wheel hopping during acceleration and on that front things have improved, but we are still penalized in braking when it comes to stopping the bike and making it turn" – he explained Marco Melandri – “I still don't have the confidence to push as much as I would like with the front. We found an interesting route in the last few hours but were unable to explore it further as we ran out of time. We will start again from there in FP1 at Misano. I am confident that we will soon be able to make further progress."