From a press release:

DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

Testing – Kyalami (South Africa)

Thursday 24 January 2002

DUCATI’S 2002 WSBK CAMPAIGN GETS UNDERWAY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Ducati Corse kicked off its 2002 World Superbike Championship campaign in South Africa on Thursday with the first day of a three-day Michelin tyre test session at the high-altitude Kyalami circuit on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

The Italian manufacturer was present with brand-new 2002-spec Ducati 998R Factory bikes for reigning world champion Troy Bayliss, from Australia and his young Spanish teammate Ruben Xaus, winner of two races last year.

The first day of testing began late morning and revolved around general suspension set-up work, and putting some mileage on the new bikes on standard tyres.

Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada), who ran a total of 56 laps in hot weather (track 52° C/ air 30° C), was feeling confident after recording a best time of 1:43.5.

“I didn’t push too hard today because I had to get to grips with the new bike after a few weeks away from the track”, declared the 32-year-old Australian.

“Even though we are running at more than 1700 metres altitude, I can feel the new engine has got a lot of power”, he added.

Teammate Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) completed 15 laps before having a harmless slide at Turn 3. The 23-year-old Spanish rider’s best time at that point was 1:46.9″.

Testing for the Ducati Infostrada team at Kyalami continues Friday and Saturday.

The third factory rider Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M), from California, will bring the team up to full strength at next week’s scheduled SBK Winter Tests at Phillip Island, Australia.