The second day of World Superbike testing at the desert circuit of Losail in Qatar saw both Ducati Xerox Team riders Troy Bayliss and Lorenzo Lanzi make substantial progress on their Ducati 999 machines.
In this three-day test, scheduled from 4 to 6 December, the Ducati Xerox Team is concentrating exclusively on tyre testing for the championship's one-make supplier Pirelli and suspension set-up work in collaboration with ?hlins on new front forks and rear shocks.
Both riders, who set their times on race tyres, improved on yesterday, in particular Troy Bayliss, who is starting to really get to grips with his new bike. The Australian was one of just two riders who managed to get under the two-minute mark, the other being 2005 champion and fellow countryman, Troy Corser (Suzuki). Bayliss knocked almost two seconds off his lap time to end up second quickest, despite a harmless crash on the last lap of his final run of the day. Troy set a particularly good pace, considering the condition of his left wrist, and the time of 1m59.60s he recorded towards the end of the day is also significant seeing as the track was slower in the afternoon.
"I'm really happy with today, the track was perfect and we made a lot of progress" declared Troy. "The 999 still feels similar to the Ducati Superbikes I rode a few years back, although the tyres are different. Pirelli have made a big step forward and I'm really getting used to them now. I tested a lot of fronts today and we've managed to get a lot of good information for the opening race here in February. Tomorrow I'll continue working with the tyres and then I'll do a long-run after lunch to finish off the test".
Lorenzo Lanzi concluded today's session one hour before the end after suffering the effects of yesterday's crash. Even though he was unable to get under the two-minute mark, Lanzi shaved a few tenths off his time to end up third quickest rider of the day.
"Yesterday was much better than today but all things considered I'm quite pleased with my performance today" commented Lorenzo. "I'm still in a bit of pain after yesterday's crash, in which I scraped my right arm and bruised my back and right shoulder. Today we made a major change to the bike however and I hope to improve tomorrow".
TIMES : 1. Corser (Suzuki) 1m59.17s; 2. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1m59.40s; 3. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 2m00.48s; 4. Kagayama (Suzuki) 2m00.64s; 5. Muggeridge (Honda) 2m00.68s; 6. Toseland (Honda) 2m00.90s; 7. Haga (Yamaha) 2m01.50s; 8. Pitt (Yamaha) 2m01.80s; 9. Martin (Petronas) 2m03.10s.
Mixed Fortunes for FPR on Day Two at Qatar
FPR?s second day of testing alongside other factory World Superbike
teams at the desert circuit in Doha, Qatar, saw its riders Steve Martin
and Craig Jones have a day of mixed fortunes.
Craig was unable to ride for the first half of the day due to illness
with a fever and stomach bug, although following a trip to the medical
centre for treatment and a good sleep in the morning, was able to return
to the FP1 seat for the afternoon?s running and completed over thirty
laps.
Steve was also feeling a little weak after his first day back on a bike
following surgery just six weeks ago. He completed almost forty laps
but had a steady day of running for development purposes rather than
pushing himself to his full potential.
Despite both Steve's and Craig?s day being slightly hampered by
ailments, they were both able to progress positively with testing of
development parts and also, both improved on their lap times from yesterday,
with times of 2:03.10 and 2:02.84 respectively.
Steve commented, ?I?ve felt pretty weak today so have just concentrated
on steadily evaluating the development parts. Despite not pushing to
anywhere close to my limit I was still able to improve my lap time and so
I?m looking forward to more of the same progress all round, on day
three.?
Craig said, ?It?s annoying I was ill this morning as I wanted to have
another good and full day, but I felt much better after lunch and I?m
pleased to be continuing to make good progress. I was able to further
evaluate tyres and found a good combination to help me put in the quickest
lap of the test so far. I?m really enjoying this test and can?t wait to
get back out there tomorrow to hopefully put in even more laps, test
more development elements and also try for an even quicker lap time.?
BAYLISS BACK AT THE TOP FOR THE DUCATI XEROX TEAM IN QATAR TESTING
Losail (Qatar), Tuesday 6 December: The Ducati Xerox Team has concluded its final test of the year at the Losail desert circuit in Qatar in superb form. After three days of intense testing, the two riders of the Italian team Troy Bayliss and Lorenzo Lanzi have successfully laid the groundwork for the 2006 championship season.
After testing next year?s ?evolution? race tyres yesterday, today the riders were provided with the latest generation of qualifying tyres. The considerable progress made by championship one-make supplier Pirelli, together with the latest generation of front and rear suspension units brought to Losail by ?hlins, allowed the two Ducati Xerox Team riders to conclude the tests with the first and third quickest times respectively.
Despite the lack of a direct face-off between the two Australians due to Corser (Suzuki) missing the final day with a physical complaint, Bayliss demonstrated that he has lost none of his spectacular form from three years back, the Australian setting the quickest time of the test on race tyres, in 1m59.13s. Even more impressive was the time he recorded today on qualifying tyres, 1m58.60s, a full three seconds under the pole position mark set by R?gis Laconi (Ducati Xerox) in last February?s race.
?I?m very happy with the way things went here, we made progress every day? declared Troy. ?I did a lot of laps and my wrist stood up well. I did a great time on qualifying tyres today but the best thing is the improvement made by the Pirelli race tyres since the start of the year. I did a full race simulation, with lots of laps in the 59s so things are looking good. I love working with the guys in the team, everything went really smoothly and now I?m looking forward to getting back on the bike again after the Christmas break?.
Lorenzo Lanzi also improved on yesterday, the Italian joining the two Australians under the two minute barrier with a time of 1m59.40s. Lorenzo wrapped up his Qatar testing at the end of the morning as he was still feeling pain from his Sunday crash.
?Today we went back to the first day?s settings after trying something different yesterday, and my lap times improved once again,? commented Lorenzo. ?I am quite pleased with my performance over the past three days, I went quicker day after day, but I have to admit that the crash on day 1 really left its mark. I was still feeling the effects today so we finished testing after lunchtime. However I feel that I have demonstrated that I am in good form and that for sure I can improve even more?.
The Ducati Xerox Team will next be in track action at Valencia, on February 6/7 next year for its final winter test, two weeks before the start of the 2006 World Superbike Championship, which kicks off at the Losail circuit.
OVERALL TIMES: 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1?58?60; 2. Corser (Suzuki) 1?59?17; 3. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 1?59?40; 4. Toseland (Honda) 2?00?10; 5. Haga (Yamaha) 2?00?46; 6. Kagayama (Suzuki) 2?00?62; 7. Muggeridge (Honda) 2?00?68; 8. Pitt (Yamaha) 2?00?81; 9. Martin (Petronas) 2?01?80; 10. Jones (Petronas) 2?02?50
Positive Tests For Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra
Troy second, despite stomach virus, Yukio sixth.
The three day Qatar tests ended with Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra upbeat and looking forward to next season. Although the team didn?t have any radical revisions to this year?s successful GSX-R1000, there were a host of modifications to be tried out. During the three days, Troy and Yukio tried new front forks, a new rear shock, some different brake discs and some other minor bits and pieces. But the biggest improvements were some new Pirelli tyres, with Troy particularly taking to them straightaway. Yukio did not get the same good feelings about the tyres as Troy - mainly because of his different (more aggressive riding style) but also was very happy with the progress made during the tests. Troy was quickest over the first two days and was more then ready to smash the 1:59 barrier but suffered a stomach virus which forced him to sit out the final day. His time of 1:59.17 was only beaten by Troy Bayliss (Ducati), who used qualifying rubber. Third quickest overall was Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati), with Yukio slotting into sixth at the end of the three days.
Troy
"Despite missing the final day, I feel the tests have gone very well for us. We had lots to try out - nothing major - and we gathered a lot of useful data throughout. For me, the biggest improvements were the tyres. I could feel what was happening much better then before and I could lay the bike into the turn far more easily. Also, the grip was better and I was working myself and the tyre much harder! I know Bayliss went quicker on the final day (the one I had to sit out), but that was on qualifying rubber, whereas my best times were all done on race rubber.
I don?t know how I got sick, but I guess it must be some strange water or maybe salad that wasn?t washed properly. It?s been a long, but wonderful season and I want to wish everybody a peaceful and happy holiday. I?m going to spend some time with my family and friendsover the break and then be raring to go at the next tests in the New Year."
Yukio
"I am not disappointed at all, because we have done a lot of good work here during the three days. We tried many things including front forks, rear suspension, new discs and other small things. This is the same bike as we?ve raced all year, with just some new pieces to evaluate. Troy-san was more happy then me with the new tyre, but this was probably because our riding styles are so different! The weather has been perfect these three days and so I think we have achieved a lot and we should be very happy. I am looking forward to some rest now - back in Japan - and seeing my family again. Next year will be great fun and I am looking forward to it already."
FPR Wraps Up 'Excellent' Qatar Test
Another day of perfect testing conditions in Doha, Qatar, enabled FPR?s
Steve Martin and Craig Jones to complete a comprehensive and excellent
three day test at the Losail desert circuit.
Foggy PETRONAS Racing used the Pirelli organised test - attended by a
number of the factory World Superbike teams - to work through its
comprehensive testing and development schedule for the PETRONAS FP1, to
include tyre evaluation, braking systems, temperature management packages,
suspension, wheels and electrical system modifications, alongside
continued engine development.
Steve Martin only ran during the morning session, due to weakness and
fitness limitations following surgery to his kidney just six weeks ago,
but commented to be extremely happy with what had been achieved over
the last few days. And again without pushing himself, Steve posted a best
lap time of 2:01.80 - almost 1.5 seconds quicker than his fastest lap
at Losail during the World Superbike race event there earlier in the
year, when he was fully fit and riding to his potential.
Craig made even further progress with his bike set up and was able to
achieve over fifty laps and a slightly improved lap time of 2:02.50. The
young Brit also comes away from the test with a chassis package and
tyre combination he is very confident with, is happy with his development
work and has also gained a good deal of further experience of riding
the FP1.
Steve Martin said, ?I'm really happy with the test, including the lap
time I got down to. I'm exceptionally happy that we got through all the
things we had to test, as this has given the team a really good
direction to improve from yet again, in time for our test at Philip Island in
January when I will be 100% recovered and fit.?
Craig Jones commented, ?I am really pleased with what we?ve achieved at
this test overall, in terms of evaluating development parts and also
with how I?ve progressed and the experience I?ve gained in riding the
FP1, especially with this being my first visit to the Losail circuit as
well. I?m a little bit disappointed with today though, as I started off
right on the pace where I left off yesterday, but then could not really
improve and my concentration was not fully there. I don't feel tired or
?pumped up? or even ?sweaty?, but just run down. It?s probably a
combination of being ill yesterday and also experiencing for the first time
how much effort is involved in riding a superbike for three days ? and
my blistered hands will remind me of that!
Team Manager, Jack Valentine, commented, ?This has been an extremely
positive and excellent test. Both Steve and Craig have done a great job
these last few days, despite some fitness and illness issues which they
worked through, to get through a tremendous amount of development work.
They?ve also achieved good race set ups and tyre combinations for the
first race of the season here in Qatar, next February. The team is now
looking forward to a busy few weeks in the workshop before the first
test of 2006 at Phillip Island in January.?
