From a press release issued by d’Antin Ducati:

XAUS AND HODGSON READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN CATALUNYA

Just a week after racing in Mugello, the d´Antin MotoGP riders now face another big challenge at the Catalunya circuit. The Italian Grand Prix served as a big boost for the entire team’s morale and now Hodgson and Xaus come to a circuit they both know well.

The track features a series of long corners which test the frame’s performance and the set-up of the front end. Top speed also comes into the equation, with the long straight allowing Loris Capirossi to reach over 346 km/h with his Ducati in the pre-season official tests.

RUBÉN XAUS’ performance last weekend has been one of the talking points of recent days and he comes into his home Grand Prix more motivated than ever, “In a home race you put in a little bit more heart than talent. It’s a circuit I like, although it is very technical. You have to be very precise and you need a set-up that allows you to be as relaxed as possible, because it’s important to be quick in the corners, whilst the bike seems to want to take you off line too. You have to make the most of the track width without doing too many extra metres, while engine performance is also important, the same as in Mugello. I stayed on in Italy a couple of days more for the Ducati Corse tests and I am pleased to say that they were very positive. I’m delighted to have had this opportunity and I have to say that I really liked the GP4. “

NEIL HODGSON was almost riding against himself in Italy and with that in mind his was a good result, but not until the British rider is completely recovered from his injuries will we see that the best is still to come from him, “I’m happy with the result in Mugello because I rode within myself, not wanting to risk anything in my condition. I felt a bit rigid on top of the bike, but my ribs and my back are improving every day. Mugello is a physically demanding track and I can’t wait to ride in Barcelona because it’s a circuit I really like, and furthermore our Ducati is very quick, and this will be vital. The last time I raced at Catalunya was in 1995 with the Yamaha, but we tested there with the Desmosedici back in March, so we’ll know a little more than we do at other places.”