2013 Ducati Team MotoGP Testing
The Ducati Team took little time off following Jerez MotoGP last weekend, where Nicky Hayden finished seventh, the highest-placed GP13, and Andrea Dovizioso eighth.
Following round three of MotoGP, Hayden and Dovizioso completed a one-day test Monday at Jerez, and then headed to Mugello in Italy for a two-day test Wednesday and Thursday.
The point of the private test was to complete further setup work on the Desmosedici GP13, hoping to bring some great results to hometown fans when MotoGP heads there May 31 – June 2. Due to optimal weather conditions, Dovizioso got in 42 laps on Wednesday and 54 Thursday, and Hayden 29 and 60, respectively. While setting up the Ducati Team GP13, Dovi and Hayden used both soft and hard Bridgestone Tires.
The Ducati Test Team was also present, including riders Michele Pirro and Franco Battaini, who worked with the “laboratory” version of the GP13. Pirro competed at Jerez last weekend, finishing 11th. He was also ride at the French Grand Prix new weekend, substituting for the injured Ignite Pramac Racing Ducati rider Ben Spies.
Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team GP13, 89 laps) says: “I wasn’t sure of my physical condition, but my wrist was actually a bit better than at Jerez. We didn’t do a lot of laps, but for the first time in a long time, we had great weather here at Mugello.
“We were able to do some things with the chassis and geometry that we had wanted to try at the first three races, along with a couple of things with the electronics. We’ll know how our pace compares when we’re here with the other teams in a few weeks.
“A big thanks to the team, as it’s not easy for them to do a big GP weekend, plus a post-race test, and then pack up and do another day and a half of testing in a different country. Hopefully it will help us to make the home fans proud when we come back here for the race.”
Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team, 96 laps) says: “It was an interesting day and a half because the conditions were really good for testing for the race. It was quite warm, and the temperature this afternoon was similar to what we normally have here for the Grand Prix, so true race conditions.
“The lap times weren’t bad, but we must improve our pace, although it’s difficult to talk about times since we don’t really have any references. However, I will say that I think this track is better suited to the Ducati’s characteristics.”