The Ducati Superbike Team concludes its first winter test sessions today in Spain
Alcaniz (Spain), Tuesday 18 November 2014 – The Ducati Superbike Team and riders Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano have completed the first of a series of winter tests, which took place this week at the Spanish circuit of Motorland Aragon, in mainly dry conditions and with very positive results.
The Ducati Superbike Team’s winter test schedule got started this week at Motorland Aragon. The team, also strengthened as a result of reconfirming both of its riders, Welshman Chaz Davies and Italian rider Davide Giugliano, was able to make the best possible start to its preparations for the new season. Work begins just two weeks after the final races of the 2014 season were held in Qatar.
Yesterday, in fairly cold conditions and on what was a damp track after overnight rain, the team focused on testing the new Panigale in its 2015 Superbike configuration, working with new electronics, new components and a new engine, that is closer to that of the production bike, in line with the 2015 regulation. In the afternoon, and on a dry track, both Davies and Giugliano completed approximately fifty laps, recording some very interesting lap times in the process.
Today, conditions allowed the team to work well with no interruptions to the programme. A great deal of important data was collated and the choices previously defined and tested by the development team were consolidated. The day concluded positively, with continuous improvement on the previous day’s performance in terms of lap times.
Winter testing will continue for the Ducati Superbike Team next week, with the Italian squad taking to the Spanish circuit of Jerez from the 26 to 28 November.
Quotes at the end of testing:
Chaz Davies – Ducati Superbike Team #7
“We’ve had two very positive days. This is the first time that I’m starting winter testing with the evolution of the the same bike with which I finished the season and this is important in terms of continuity in our work. The approach with the new bike has been very easy because the sensations are very similar to those I had with the bike I rode in Qatar. We’ve carried out some tests to confirm some of the solutions used during this season and the new components introduced on the 2015 bike have given us some very clear and positive feedback. The new electronics are working well and the new engine behaves in a fluid, linear way. I’ve had fun and look forward to getting back on the bike next week.”
Davide Giugliano – Ducati Superbike Team #34
“It’s all gone very well, we’ve tried many different things, all of which have led to improvements in areas where we needed them. I’m very pleased with the 2015 package because as soon as I got on the bike I felt comfortable, and we were able to concentrate on set-up and the testing of new components right away. Going fast at Aragon is very important to me because it’s a track that has always given me problems. We still have to work on pace which is the most critical aspect for me, but already over these two days we’ve seen that I was able to lap consistently fast with used tyres. This is very positive as we look ahead to next week’s tests at Jerez.”
Ernesto Marinelli – Ducati Superbike Project Director
“The first test in preparation for the 2015 season has been a positive one and I’m pleased that the configuration defined during the latest development tests in September and October has been supported by Chaz and Davide, who have confirmed the chosen solutions. We’ve still got a lot of work to do but the stopwatch tells us that we’re on the right path and rewards the huge amount of work put in both at home and on the track during the season. Aragon and Jerez are two very different tracks so it will be important to consolidate the information and results collated here when we get to Jerez next week, so that we can be confident when we resume in January.”
More, from a press release issued by Team Althea Racing:
TEAM ALTHEA RACING BEGINS THE 2015 SEASON WITH TWO DAYS OF TESTS AT VALENCIA
Team Althea Racing has just concluded its first winter tests at the ‘Ricardo Tormo’ Circuit of Valencia. A positive debut for Genesio Bevilacqua’s Team, that will compete in 2015 with four bikes: two in the Superbike series, with riders Matteo Baiocco and Nicolas Terol, and two in Superstock 1000 with Raffaele De Rosa and Luca Salvadori.
During these two days of tests at Valencia riders rode the Ducati 1199 Panigale R EVO, before they take to Jerez de la Frontera on 24 November with the new Panigale R in its 2015 configuration, to carry out further tests.
The four riders made a solid start, immediately finding the right feeling with the Team, and were able to test the bike in dry conditions, although affected at times by fairly strong winds. After day one, which riders used primarily to gain confidence with the bike and the track, today they picked up the pace and were all able to record some interesting times. The two Superbike riders lapped in 1’35.00 with the EVO. So some very positive indications that auger well. Both Nico and Matteo have a great approach to the Superbike, also thanks to their wealth of experience. A positive result overall.
The Superbike riders’ comments at the end of testing:
Nico Terol: “During these two days I’ve got to know the team and immediately feel part of a family. This is very important for me because we all need to work together to achieve the same goal. I came here with the strong desire to do well, and my approach with the bike has been very good. I immediately felt at ease, I really like the Panigale and lap after lap I was able to improve. I’m pleased because there was solid progression and especially today we had good pace. I’m getting on well with the team and there is great communication between us.”
Matteo Baiocco: “I’ve only ridden the EVO once this year so I had to get back into the swing of things here. It’s been four years since I was last at Valencia so I also needed to get to grips with that. The team is new to me but we’ve been getting on very well. We’ve completed important work here without focusing on times but taking things step by step without rushing. I’m pleased with these two days in which I’ve been quite fast. Now we’ll go to Jerez to test the bike in its 2015 configuration and where we’ll have lots to work on.”
The Superstock 1000 riders’ comments at the end of testing:
Raffaele De Rosa: “I’m very pleased to have finally started my 2015 season. These two days have been useful both in terms of building confidence with the time and, more importantly, building confident with the Panigale. I’m happy because I was able to taste something of the Superbike, having used the bike in its EVO configuration and, having got to grips with it and made some good laps, I’m feeling very positive about my work. I’m getting on with the team and am sure we’ll be able to work very well together.”
Luca Salvadori: “I’m very happy. My first experience of riding a Superbike EVO has gone really well. I thought I’d struggle the first time I rode the Panigale, but instead I’m satisfied with my times even though, especially at the start, I was a little cautious, particularly while braking. Now we have a lot of work to do to improve my pace and I can’t wait to go to Jerez next week to test the new bike. I’ve got on well with the team here, everyone’s very approachable and we’ll do a great job together.”
The team owner’s comments at the end of testing:
Genesio Bevilacqua: “These two days have been very intense and fruitful as far as the riders’ approach to the bike and our technical package is concerned. Here we have used the 1199 Panigale R EVO but at the next tests we’ll be riding the new Panigale R in its 2015 configuration. Testing here has been particularly useful in terms of building confidence with the bike and with the team. I’ve feeling very positive, and am pleased with how these tests have gone. We will need to work intensely because there is still much to do but I’m feeling confident. Now we look forward to testing at Jerez next week, where we will work with Nico and Matteo to prepare for Superbike, and with Raffaele and Luca on the Superstock side.”