The new Ducati MotoGP on the track….

TESTING FOR THE DESMOSEDICI MOTOGP AND 999 SBK

Test day at the Mugello circuit for the laboratory version of the
future Ducati Desmosedici MotoGP and for the Superbike version of the brand new one
Ducati 999.

All Ducati Corse employees were there today at Mugello to watch
the debut on the track of two very important motorcycles for the Borgo Panigale manufacturer.

The first is a real traveling laboratory that will come
used in the coming months to define the prototype with which it will take place
debut in the 2003 MotoGP championship.

The second is the racing version of the new Ducati 999 already
on the track in view of the next Superbike Championship which will see Ducati
defend his record of victories in the world championship for production-based derivatives
thanks to the now legendary twin-cylinder 851, 888, 916, 996 and 998.

The Desmosedici project is proceeding according to plan and these first tests
on the track they serve to verify the validity of some innovative solutions.
Test driver Vittoriano Guareschi completed 32 laps and will continue
his work tomorrow. At this moment the greatest attention is concentrated
on verifying aerodynamic efficiency, fundamental on a motorcycle that
in its final version it will have a power exceeding 220 horsepower.

“The prototype we are using is performing very well,”
said Vittoriano. “Although today the power is similar to that
of the twin-cylinder in the SBK version, the new fairing is very aerodynamic
and allows us to obtain significantly higher maximum speeds. We are
carrying out some tests with perforated or non-perforated fairings to verify the different behaviours
to side wind and ease of entering curves.”

Positive debut on the track also for the 999 SBK F03.

“The new 999 is fantastic!” said Steve Martin,
rider of the Ducati DFX Team today in the role of test rider for Ducati Corse.
“Even though it's her debut on the track she seems really well born. AND'
more aerodynamic and easy to handle than the 998. Compared to my racing bike,
a 998 RS Customer version, the Testastretta engine in the latest version
he has an impressive drive despite maintaining the same enviable qualities
of driveability.”

“In this period our company is facing an enormous effort,”
declared the CEO of Ducati Corse, Claudio Domenicali.
“To be able to do it in the best way we have grown a lot in these
recent times and today we can count on a staff of around 100 people united
with an incredible passion. That's why we thought it was right to come
all together at Mugello to see our 'creatures' in action live
for the first time. Companies are made up of men and ours are the real one
Ducati's secret weapon!”

Source:Ducati. com