From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION
Phillip Island (Australia)
Friday 20 December 2002

THIRD AND FINAL DAY OF TESTING FOR DUCATI CORSE MOTOGP TEAM AT PHILLIP ISLAND

Fog and damp conditions delayed the start of the final day at Phillip Island for the Ducati Corse MotoGP team, but testing continued in perfect conditions (air 21°C / track 27-38°C) once the sun came out.

Both Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss were scheduled to complete a race simulation today as well as tests with different chassis and rear suspension settings.

Loris completed a 27-lap long run without any problems and constantly lapped in competitive times. The Italian was pleased with the results of the race simulation and the three-day test session and was satisfied with his choice of a new chassis. Despite being at the start of his experience with a four-stroke MotoGP bike, he now feels perfectly at home with the new Desmosedici. Loris also focussed on tests with race tyres, setting a quickest time of 1:32.1.

Troy has come to terms with the increased power and lower weight of the Desmosedici with respect to the Ducati 998 Superbike he has raced for the past year. The Australian rider encountered no problems during his race simulation, and was also able to lap at a competitive pace. Troy’s schedule today revolved around different rear suspension settings and testing of new Michelin race tyres. His best time was 1:32.3

“We can only be satisfied with the results of these tests in Australia” declared Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse Managing Director. “It has been a very demanding year and I am happy that it has come to an end with positive results, both for the brand-new Desmosedici and the 999 Superbike, which lapped under the track record at Valencia last week.

“Next year we will be involved for the first time ever in Superbike and MotoGP” he added, “and we will have to rely on all our passion to face up to
the commitments that are awaiting us. The results are positive, but winter testing is one thing and the races are another. For sure our competitors are also working to improve and the challenge that lies ahead is going to be a very difficult one. A big thanks to all the guys in Ducati Corse: They have done an outstanding job and deserve a few days rest”.