Factory test-rider Vittoriano Guareschi carries out the first shakedown
test of the Ducati Desmosedici GP7, fitted with a new 800cc engine in
compliance with 2007 MotoGP regulations.
Mugello (Italy), Tuesday 2 May 2006 - Alongside the development work
being carried out by Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau for the 2006
MotoGP championship, the Desmosedici GP7 machine that will form the
basis for the Italian manufacturer's challenge for the 2007 season had
its first shakedown test today at Mugello.
Ducati factory test-rider Vittoriano Guareschi, who has steadfastly
carried out this role since 2002, took to the track with the new 800cc
powered prototype machine, marking the start of the first track test of
the Desmosedici GP7 that will continue until Thursday.
The scene for the shakedown test was Ducati's 'home' circuit of Mugello,
which was the venue for the debut of the first version of the
Desmosedici way back on August 1, 2002.
Filippo Preziosi (Ducati Corse Technical Director);
"Today the new 800cc engine finally moved from the dyno to the track and
we are quite satisfied with this debut. We started off by running a
check on all the components of the new bike and over the next two days,
if we don't encounter any particular problems, we will move on to phase
two and begin the first set-up work.
Today is certainly very important, but it is just the start of a long
path that we know lies ahead of us. A special thanks goes out to all the
guys in Ducati Corse who have worked hard over the past few months to
get the bike, with which we will race in next year's championship, out
onto the track today, as well as all of our suppliers and technical
sponsors, above all Shell Advance, who with their technology, experience
and availability are making a decisive contribution to our project".
ittoriano Guareschi (Ducati Corse official test-rider);
"I have to admit that the first lap with the GP7 was really exciting. I
am used to testing new solutions on our bikes, but this was different to
the others: it is a totally new machine, and so it's even more exciting
than usual. It seems just like yesterday that we were testing the
Desmosedici GP3 here at Mugello for the first time, but four years have
gone by! Today we made another important step forward in the MotoGP
project: it is as if our family has given birth to a second 'baby' and
the first noises it has made are not bad at all!".
