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Sunny and dry weather conditions, marked only
by the typically torrid Malaysian temperatures (with the track reaching 56°C),
allowed the Ducati Marlboro team to get their preseason testing programme
underway at Sepang.
After experiencing some electrical problems in the morning
the team were able to make the most of the conditions to resolve them in the
afternoon and both Casey Stoner and Marco Melandri could work on various aspects
of the set-up of their GP8, mainly in the cycle part. The pair were also able to
try some new tyres from Bridgestone and will continue to do so over the next two
days. For Stoner the first day was also a chance to check his physical condition
after damaging his shoulder in the team's last session at Jerez. Even though
he's still not at 100%, the Australian was not unduly troubled by the
injury.
Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro
Team), best lap: 2'02'457 (36 laps)
"I'm really happy because in the
past, for a variety of reasons, testing hasn't gone well at this circuit for me
but today was quite a bit better. The shoulder isn't hurting so that's a bonus;
it's just a little weak but that's not too much of a problem other than in the
changes of direction, where we can't go as fast as we'd like. It's been quite
hard to get my confidence back because after almost two months without riding
and my two crashes in the last test at Jerez it feels a little bit like learning
to ride again. We lost a bit of time this morning but that kind of thing can
happen with a new bike. I've got total confidence in Ducati and the bike was
actually running really well in the afternoon - we just have to be a little
patient. The GP8 has improved in terms of power delivery, which was one of our
weak points, and even though I'm not yet riding as I'd like I think we're on the
right lines. Towards the end of the session I tried the new Bridgestones and
there were some encouraging things. We'll keep working on the new tyres tomorrow
and hopefully the weather can be on our side like it was today."
Marco Melandri (Ducati Marlboro Team), best time:
2'04.414 (52 laps)
"The power delivery is better compared to the last
test and even though that is something that isn't crucial at this circuit, I
think it will be when we go somewhere like Jerez. I still don't feel completely
comfortable with the bike as far as the cycle part is concerned. The Ducati has
a very unique character - it reacts differently to set-up changes compared to
the bike I was used to and along with my engineer we're just trying to
understand the problems I'm having at the moment. Losing time this morning when
we had to programme the new engine configuration meant that I couldn't get as
many laps in as I'd wanted to but these things happen at the beginning. I want
to say a big 'thank you' to Ducati Corse for changing the ergonomics of the bike
as I requested after Jerez. Now the seat position is good for me and we can
concentrate on working on the setting."
from Ducati Racing press
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