Ducati Xerox duo enjoy successful test
Added on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Ducati Xerox duo enjoy successful test
The Ducati Xerox World Superbike duet, Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio, completed a successful test earlier this week, just days after their season-ending performance in Portugal last weekend.
With cooler, more manageable conditions in the second day of the immediate post-season test sessions, 2009 WSB Championship runner-up and teammate Fabrizio had what was described as a ‘positive’ day. Haga tested a new clutch and new fork during the day, which he later claimed to be happy with as a good starting point for next season.
Commenting on the experience, the Japanese rider said: “We tried the new front fork and it felt quite similar to the one I use already, but overall I prefer the one I have used up until now. The new one didn’t give me anything extra. I worked with the new clutch, which is a bit of a different concept, but it gave me a good feeling and it definitely has potential. I’m happy with how it’s gone here, but to be honest I’m ready to go home as it’s been a long week.”
Fabrizio also tested a new fork, together with testing the new shock, as provided by Ohlins, a test he was reportedly very pleased with. The Italian supported his accomplishment with a series of impressive lap times, setting times faster than Haga and on a par with Brit stars, Jonathan Rea, Leon Haslam and WSB graduate Cal Crutchlow.
Expressing his thoughts on the test, Fabrizio said: “I continued to test the fork that we used on the first day, and I also tried the new shock. With the bike in its 2009 configuration but with the new shock mounted, I was immediately half a second faster so it seems to be a big improvement. I’m very happy with the times, as me and Jonathan were again the fastest out there and I’d say the test has finished on a very positive note.”
