Having carried out the first “shakedown” at Jerez de la Frontera today with positive results, Franco Battaini and Vittoriano Guareschi tomorrow will leave the bike in the hands of Ducati Marlboro Team factory rider Valentino Rossi, who returns to the Andalusian circuit five days after having competed there in the Spanish Grand Prix. Saturday will be the turn of Rossi’s teammate, Nicky Hayden, who returns to Spain following a promotional appearance in Germany.
While the development of the GP11 proceeds at full speed according to the directions of the Test Team and Battaini, Rossi and Hayden will be supported by a structure comprising engineers and mechanics from the factory team, with Technical Director Filippo Preziosi overseeing the operation as usual.
Based on the progress Rossi made thru the pack at the Spanish motogp, they have made substantial progress on the bike(s). Even though it was somewhat wet, (read, not any kind of downpour), the Ducati’s very very fast and seemed to be handling much better. The Hondas are still looking extremely competent, and I know Stoner was hugely pissed about getting taken out( Hope Rossi apologized ).
Can’t wait for the next race. just wish Speed TV, or whatever it is called, does a same day re-broadcast. getting up at 5am(California time) is too early for a Sunday