Team took a slow start on day one to get everyone settled. Using old materials, last year's suspensions and breaking system, the focus was mainly on finding a good basic set-up and confidence with the bike. No high performance was expected.
Program of day 2 was unexpectedly interrupted by Sylvain
Guintoli and Brett McCormick having to pull out due to a virus.
However, it didn't stop all three remaining protagonists, who were in
full strength to rev up their engines. Jakub Smrž did a very long run
with his Ducati in order to gain confidence with the bike, completing a
total of 73 laps, while Maxime Berger was out for 45 laps claiming an
overall satisfaction. "This year the bike has evolved a lot. The front
is the last model of Ohils and it was fantastic. The team works great
and that is very important. I feel confident about the season because I
have a really good material. It's a big pleasure to be riding for
Effenbert Liberty Racing." He said.
Both Berger and Smrž made a
solid start with a 1.33.3s. Federico Sandi worked on the set-up of his
Panigale that had not yet been finalized prior to the test. "The new
Panigale is very different. But I have a very positive first impression.
She has a very powerful engine. Ducati has made a fantastic bike and
I'd like to thank all engineers for their support, "he commented.
All riders were back in the pits ready for day 3. Sandi came strong from the very beginning, setting a 1.37.8 and let the bike to McCormick, who had a high speed off-track "excursion" in the morning, finishing final straight on the grass without pulling off the throttle and coming out with a 1.38.2 lap time. Guintoli was finally fit to join his teammates and carried out several short runs. His lap time was stable (1.34.00), and several times very close to the borderline of 1.33s. Jakub Smrž was very satisfied with the bike and set an encouraging 1.32.4 on a race tyre. "First day I was getting used to the bike after a long winter break but I felt well from the very beginning. We were working on traction control and clutch set-up and we also tried to find the best solution for suspension. We used a new front fork and front brake system, which I found very satisfying. I must thank to the whole team for a great work because the first test is always important for a good start to a new season. Now, we will take a few days off before the official test on Monday, "concluded Jakub Smrž.
