News 10 Nov 2010

MotoGP: De Puniet and Capirossi debut at Pramac Ducati

Frenchman Randy de Puniet was 11th fastest for Pramac Ducati on debut on Tuesday.

Frenchman Randy de Puniet was 11th fastest for Pramac Ducati on debut on Tuesday.

Pramac Racing debuted its all-new experienced team of Randy de Puniet and Loris Capirossi at Valencia in the post-season MotoGP test on Tuesday, the pair easing into the 2011 season accordingly.

De Puniet was the quickest of the two in 11th with a 1:33.914 in complete Pramac colours, while ex-factory Suzuki man Capirossi was 16th with 1:34.631.

“Today I found my self at ease on my Ducati,” de Puniet explained after an impressive season with LCR Honda. “I really like for the delivery of engine power and the way to control it. The thing that surprised me most is the ease of entry into the curve.

“I can always break at the last moment and keep the brakes in the first part of the turn. When I release the brake the bike runs with incredible speed. I’m really happy with the work done today and I hope that tomorrow, weather permitting, we will work hard to further improve my feeling with the bike.”

Capirossi was unable to comment due to his existing contract with Suzuki for the remainder of 2010.

Pramac Racing technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini was pleased with the team’s debut together, speaking on behalf of Capirossi.

“Loris today began to know his new Ducati and it was a good first impression,” he commented. “The lap times are not so important now, first of all we must make sure that Loris can have total confidence in what the bike can give to him.

“The wind has created some complications too and right now he didn’t want to force too much. Hopefully tomorrow the weather conditions will improve.”

Also making his debut in the premier class was Valencia Moto2 race winner Karel Abraham, the 20-year-old Czech rider forming his own team with Cardion AB Motoracing. Abraham was 17th quickest to round out the time sheets with a 1:35.076.

Click here for the full report from day one of the test

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