| Toseland and Laconi in tests at Valencia.
DUCATI CORSE PRESS INFORMATION
LACONI AND TOSELAND MAKE 999 DEBUT FOR DUCATI AT VALENCIA
Valencia (Spain), 13 November 2003: The Ducati Fila 2004 World Superbike
championship pairing of Regis Laconi and James Toseland made their first
appearance for the team this week as they completed a three-day testing
session at the Valencia circuit in Spain, organised by Pirelli. The
Italian manufacturer will be official one-make tyre supplier for next
season's World Superbike, World Supersport and European Superstock
championships.
The 28 year-old Frenchman, who finished fourth in this year's
championship, was quick right from the start of the test on Tuesday and
ended up with a time of 1'35.6 on qualifying tyres, which was the
quickest time recorded in the three days. During his total of 215 laps,
Laconi also did several long-runs, setting a quickest time of 1'35.9.
"It's the first time I have ridden the 999 after following them around
all year so I'm very happy!" declared Regis. "Ducati have made the 999
fast, it's so enjoyable to ride and I'm already working very well with
the team. We have a good feeling with the bike and we did a lot of work
in these days, testing a lot of tyres and changing the settings. The
front tyre is already OK and good for my style of riding and it's
important to set a good lap time right at the start".
Britain's James Toseland also got to grips with the championship-winning
Ducati 999 and Pirelli rubber for the first time and the 23 year-old
from Sheffield was pleased with his time of 1'36.4, recorded during a
total of 195 laps.
"It's all new for me and the only thing familiar is the track!" joked
Toseland. "The first three days have been difficult as I knew they would
be, but we've just got to get into the massive learning curve. The
chassis and the riding style of the 999 are very different so we're
working hard on that as well. It's all just a confidence-building
exercise really. I'm pleasantly surprised with the way everything went
and we're not far off the times I set earlier this year. If we improve
like this, I know it's going to be a good championship".
Lorenzo Lanzi continued testing with the Ducati 749R the Italian will
race in the 2004 World Supersport championship, setting a quickest time
of 1'39.3 in his 180 laps.  | 
Linear Mode
