Despite a harmless fall for Loris half-an-hour into yesterdays first session, the Italian rider worked according to schedule, concentrating mainly on the search for the best set-up for the new Desmosedici GP6 which proved to be quick straight out of the box. Sete Gibernau continues to get to know his new team and his new bike and is gradually finding the right feeling with the Desmosedici GP6.

Loris Capirossi (38 laps - 2m02.54s) "Things are still not 100% right but I`m pretty pleased with the first day of testing after the winter break. Today we worked a lot on the bike set-up and on the new GP6 engine and I`m happy with the progress we made. We still have to improve the bike`s stability in the quick sections and we are working mainly to get that right, but for a first time out things are going well".

Sete Gibernau (56 laps - 2m02.86s) "I thought there would be a lot of work to do and that proved to be the case, and that`s a big motivation for me. Today for the first time we searched for adjustments that allowed me to get a better feeling with my Ducati and the team is working well to understand exactly what I need to make me have the best possible feeling with the new bike. We`ll need a bit more time but things have got off to a good start and I`m feeling really confident".

Ducati Corse in fact pulled the wraps off the Desmosedici GP6, their new MotoGP machine that Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau will be campaigning this season at Wroom 2006 on 16th January. At Wroom Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse Managing-Director, was on hand to illustrate the key technical changes for the new bike from the Borgo Panigale manufacturer. "Racing in MotoGP allows us to operate with machines that are pure prototypes, developing technology that will subsequently be transferred to our production bikes. Ducati has always borrowed concepts and innovations from the racing world, and we transfers the possible benefits to our entire production range" declared Domenicali to the press after unveiling the Desmosedici GP6.

"The Desmosedici GP6 represents an evolution of the GP5; apparently it doesn't present any marked differences with its predecessor, but it is in fact an important step forward. The bike is lighter but we have done a lot of work on its stiffness (with the frame, rims and front forks), especially at the rear of the bike. The composite structure that we call the seat support has been totally redesigned and stiffness has been increased by more than 80%. The bike's ergonomics have undergone a notable evolution with the fuel tank modified in line with requests from the riders. We have also focussed on the bike's 'driveability', and in this area we have made available a whole new range of instruments and technologies that will allow the race engineers to package the power behaviour and delivery of the engine according to the requests of the riders and the conditions of the track. We have also worked on engine power, modifying the internal fluid dynamics and as a result we have a different thermodynamic layout. We have attempted to increase power as well as reduce fuel consumption, an area to which we have dedicated a lot of attention, by working maniacally on engine friction.
 

"One point of which we are particularly proud is the reliability of the bike; in 2005 we took part in 17 races with two riders, without ever having a problem, and we have also maintained this line for the next season. The evolution of the bike has obviously involved our partner, Bridgestone. Even though we know that we still have some work to do on certain kinds of track, we also know that we are on the right road and the results of the last few races of last season confirmed this improvement; our aim now is to be competitive at every circuit. The 2006 team is a very strong one on the rider front. Loris is a confirmation for us and as soon as the bike-tyre package allows, he makes no mistakes and brings home great results. A warm welcome for Sete Gibernau, whose joining us is a clear demonstration of the importance that is given in our team to the role of the riders: Sete is a great rider and he and Loris together make up a great team."

"I have seen the birth of this project" declared Loris Capirossi at Wroom 2006, "and I consider it to be an honour to still be in the team and still be riding the Desmosedici. It is a fantastic, stimulating project that has given us some great satisfaction but which, I feel sure, will give us some more this season. For 2006 we have an extremely efficient package with great potential, thanks to the development and evolution that the bike has had and to the collaboration with similarly motivated and capable partners, like Bridgestone, who demonstrated what they were capable of last year. We've still got some way to go obviously and our championship begins at the forthcoming tests in Malaysia. Our aim will be to produce good performances on a regular basis, which will be the key for the difficult season that lies ahead of us. The team is strong and motivated and everyone is working with great professionalism, expertise and seriousness, we are truly a great team!" Regarding his new team-mate, Sete Gibernau, Loris added: "We are working well together despite going in different directions, but we both have the same aim - to have a bike that allows us to fight for the win. Sete is a great rider, I get on well with him and the collaboration between us since the first day of testing confirms the Ducati Marlboro Team's potential for the 2006 season."