News 12 Nov 2013

Initial Ducati experience promising for Crutchlow at Valencia tests

Cal Crutchlow has made his first laps aboard the factory Ducati Desmosedici that he'll pilot in the 2014 MotoGP World Championship, making a promising start just 24 hours after his final race with Tech3 Yamaha.

Cal Crutchlow made his Ducati debut on Monday at Valencia.

Cal Crutchlow made his Ducati debut on Monday at Valencia.

Cal Crutchlow has made his first laps aboard the factory Ducati Desmosedici that he’ll pilot in the 2014 MotoGP World Championship, making a promising start just 24 hours after his final race with Tech3 Yamaha.

Crutchlow ended the opening day of testing sixth fastest with a promising 1m32.054 after 39 laps, just a tenth in arrears of new teammate Andrea Dovizioso.

“Obviously the situation is completely different to what I was used to before today, but anyway I’m very happy to come and work with the factory Ducati team,” Crutchlow commented.

“I’ve done everything you should on a first day at work and I think we can safely say that we’ve had a positive day learning everything the bike, the electronics, the team. There are so many new things to get your head around, but it’s also interesting.

“In the next two days, we’ll try to focus and improve. The team have been great at listening to my feedback, while I take advantage of their advice and experience. It helps to be able to count on Daniele Romagnoli, as he’s Italian like most of the Ducati technicians.

“I’m pleased with the way we’re working. We’re not going to change things overnight, but today was a positive first step.”

New Ducati Corse general manager Luigi Dall’Igna was satisfied with initial progress in his first outing with the team, after a well publicised switch from Aprilia Racing for 2014.

“This was my first day at the track as general manager of Ducati Corse and I’m getting to know and appreciate the working situation here,” he said.

“I already had an idea from the few days I spent in Borgo Panigale, because there, too, I found the technical level to be very high and the staff to have a lot of potential.

“Today we began the practical part that will help us to begin working on the bike and define a strategy that will enable Ducati to improve and return to a competitive level.

It’s still early to say anything about time scales and preparing more detailed plans, but I think we’re starting on the right foot.”

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