DUCATI CORSE:

The Ducati Marlboro Team completed its final test session of 2009 in positive fashion today as Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden ended up fastest and third fastest respectively on the time sheets at Valencia.

The pair have been impressed with the updates to their machine brought to the circuit by Filippo Preziosi and the whole team is now looking forward to next season, with preparations due to continue in Malaysia nella during the first week of February.

Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro Team) 1st; 1’31.899 (35 laps)
“We were able to understand the bike a little better today and the fantastic weather conditions certainly helped. It was a pleasant surprise when we got up this morning and it allowed us to work well. I’m satisfied with this three day test and with the new characteristics of the bike, in particular the extra traction in corner exit. It is still difficult to figure out exactly the best time to open the throttle but we’re getting there and it is a case of more practice and improving the set-up. It is nice to be going into the break in good physical shape, without any injuries to get over like in the past two years, so that we can formulate a physical training programme to be in the best possible shape for next season.”

Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro Team), 3rd; 1’32.805: (48 laps)
“We worked on confirming a few things today and I think we found what we were looking for. I like the changes we’ve introduced to the bike, the power delivery is definitely more progressive although we still need to find the ideal setting for it. I got my lap times down by a couple of tenths today, thanks to the new Bridgestone tyres, which are great. I’m happy – I think we’re on the right tracks and we have had three important days here that should help us make a lot of progress in the next test and close the gap to the front guys down even more. I want to thank the team because it is never easy after a such a demanding season and a long weekend to go testing for three days. So thanks to all my mechanics and to my brother Tommy for being here with me, and everybody working back at Ducati. I think we can all be proud of the progress we have made this season and look ahead to next year in really positive spirits.”

The MotoGP 2009 season ended after three days of testing on the circuit of Valencia, Spain. The riders of the Pramac Racing Team, Mika Kallio and Aleix Espargarò, have closed down with really interesting lap times that give positive hopes for next season. Mika has registered lap times by a second lower compared to Sunday’s race and so has done Espargarò significantly improving thanks to greater confidence gained in these three days of work. The Pramac Racing Team will be back on track after the winter break next 3rd and 4th February 2010.

Fabiano Sterlacchini – Pramac Racing Technical Director

“This year of intense work and emotions has ended. These three days of test made us understand that the next year we will be back on track even stronger. Lap times recorded by our riders today are significantly lower than those recorded only three days ago in the race and it is from here that we must begin next year. In addition to thanking all the riders who have ridden with us this year and our technical and managerial staff, I would like to thank all our partners that have always supported us during this agonistic season.”

Mika Kallio – Pramac Racing rider – 6th best lap time in 1’32.988 in 39 laps

” And so my first year in MotoGP is officially over. During these three days of work we could try different mix of technical solutions used during this year and we have reached a very high level of competitiveness. I have learnt a lot this season and this also thanks to the support that my staff has given me. Next year we will come back determined to improve our performances in the races.”

Aleix Espargarò – Pramac Racing rider – 7th best lap time in 1’33.275 in 55 laps

“I kept a very constant and good pace today but unfortunately, in contrast to other riders, I was unable to do the a single fast lap to reach better positions. But it’s ok, next year we will have many opportunities to improve. My confidence with the bike has increased a lot thanks to these hours of work in Valencia: we changed the set up of the swingarm and this has given me much more grip and consequently I felt more comfortable on the bike. I am sure that next year we will have a lot of fun.”