Leon Haslam had an exceptional second day of testing
and pushed his bike to a 1m 34.6 second lap, only two tenths of a second
behind WSB Ducati rider Troy Bayliss.
Gregorio Lavilla and Leon Haslam have completed the first of four tests on
their new Ducati 999 F'06 machines in Valencia.
The sun was shining over the Spanish track as the two Airwaves Ducati riders
rode their 2006 bikes for the first time. Now riding the same bikes as the
factory backed WSB Ducati team, Airwaves Ducati have been testing alongside
their world counterparts as they complete their last round of testing before
the WSB season commences.
The first day in Valencia allowed both riders to familiarise themselves with
their new bikes and the team understood that there was a lot to learn about
the new technology. Having come off on the first day Leon Haslam had an
exceptional second day of testing and pushed his bike to a 1m 34.6 second
lap, only two tenths of a second behind WSB Ducati rider Troy Bayliss.
Gregorio had a consistent couple of days clocking 1m 35 second laps
regularly over the 120 laps that each of the riders completed during the two
days, more than they have ever completed in a Spanish test.
Both riders were delighted with their new machines and are looking ahead to
the three further tests and ultimately the start of the Bennetts BSB season
where both riders are sure to be major contenders for the title.
Team Manager Colin Wright commented "The team is really happy with the way
the last couple of days have gone here in Valencia, we have learnt plenty
about the bikes and Greg, Leon and the team as a whole are pleased with the
Ducati 999 F'06. Clocking times that are so close to Troy Bayliss in what is
his last test and our first is very promising for the team."
The next Airwaves Ducati test will begin on 18th February at Kyalami in
South Africa.
