Imola (Italy), Monday 12 May 2014 – The Ducati Superbike Team and riders Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano participated in an official test held today at the Imola racetrack, coming immediately on the back of an action packed race weekend at the same circuit.
After an extremely important race weekend in which Ducati Superbike man Chaz Davies stepped up to the podium twice, having powered his 1199 Panigale into second place in both of the day’s races, the team went straight back to work today at Imola today during official testing.
Conditions were warm and sunny for this one-day test, allowing the team to work on testing some electronic updates and various suspension settings. In the morning’s session, the riders focused on the issues that had come up during the races. Chaz had complained about a rear vibration issue while Davide suffered hopping at the front of the bike in race 2. Later in the day the riders worked on testing new components. By the end of the day’s sessions, there had been improvement on both sides of the garage and Davies and Giugliano declared themselves satisfied with the work completed and results obtained. Davies finished the day with the second fastest time (1’47.310), while Giugliano, who concluded testing in the early afternoon, recorded a best of 1’47.589, to finish fifth.
The Ducati Superbike Team will return to the tracks for Round 5 of the Superbike World Championship, scheduled to take place over the weekend of 23 – 25 May at the historic Donington Park circuit in the UK.
Quotes at the end of testing:
Chaz Davies – Ducati Superbike Team #7
“We’ve mainly concentrated on the clutch setting and engine brake management, to figure out some of the rear vibration issues I’ve been having. We’ve also tested a couple of new electronic strategies and new front and rear settings. I’m pleased with the day’s work and the feeling I had with the bike by the end of the day. Hopefully the data I’m providing to the team is useful and can help us improve the bike further for the next races.”
Davide Giugliano – Ducati Superbike Team #34
“Firstly we wanted to understand exactly what happened in race 2 yesterday. I think we’ve done that by completing many laps, including two race simulations, with consistently fast times. My feeling with the bike has improved and I’ve been able to ride well which is very positive. So it’s been a very useful test day and we’ll definitely be putting all that we’ve learned here into practice in the next races.”
Ernesto Marinelli – Ducati Superbike Project Director
“Today’s test was very important considering that the regulation restricts the number of tests we can carry out. It has allowed us to better understand the problems cited in yesterday’s races and to test new suspension and electronic solutions that we will introduce from Donington. We’ve gained some great feedback and this is very important. I’m pleased with the data collected and the work carried out by the riders and entire Team who have worked hard today despite the fatigue after such a busy race weekend.”
