Ducati has had a difficult couple of years in MotoGP, and the 2011 season certainly wasn't easy for Valentino Rossi. But now, after the first official test days have concluded, the Italian squad is pleased with their progress.
A major part of the progress the team has made is down to the fact that they have now come out with a twin-spar aluminium frame, the same frame which The Doctor is used to and comfortable with.
While Fillipo Preziosi, general manager Ducati Corse, is happy with the overall progress that has been made so far, he hasn't revealed the extent to which the changes have been made. Preziosi has also declared that while the GP12 is performing better than the previous Ducati, the gap to the lead Honda is still one full second, which means there is work to be done. He also stated that the gap to the Yamaha is less, which was a good sign.
Timings after final day of test session at Sepang:
No Rider Team Timing 1 Casey Stoner Repsol Honda 1m59.607s 2 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 2m00.198s 3 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda 2m00.256s 4 Ben Spies Yamaha 2m00.495s 5 Valentino Rossi Ducati 2m00.824s 6 Hector Barbera Pramac Racing 2m00.929s 7 Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha 2m01.108s 8 Andrea Dovizioso Monster Yamaha 2m01.257s 9 Alvaro Bautista San Carlo Honda 2m01.384s 10 Nicky Hayden Ducati 2m01.729s 11 Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 2m01.894s 12 Karel Abraham Cardion AB Motoracing 2m02.218s 13 Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha 2m02.334s 14 Franco Battaini Ducati 2m03.033s 15 Colin Edwards NGM Mobile Forward 2m04.722s 16 Ivan Silva Avintia Racing 2m08.225s 17 Robertino Pietri Avintia Racing 2m09.640s 18 Jordi Torres Avintia Racing 2m10.184s
