Another challenge for Ducati

From Marlboro Ducati

Following a fruitful day of testing after the second round of the season at Jerez, which allowed the Ducati Marlboro Team to resolve some of the problems experienced during the weekend in Spain, the riders and staff are now ready to tackle the third instalment of 2008 at the Estoril circuit in Portugal next weekend.

The Autodromo Fernando Pires de Silva is notorious for its lack of grip and it promises to be another tough challenge for the team. Last year, Casey Stoner overcame a problematic race to seal a crucial podium, while Marco Melandri crossed the line in fifth place.

"Estoril is always a difficult circuit to visit because the weather can change very quickly and the wind is an almost constant nuisance for the riders," said MotoGP project director Livio Suppo. "I think the weather could prove to be the most important variable this weekend but it will be the same for everybody.

"The test on Monday after the GP at Jerez was positive for both Casey and Marco. Working together with Bridgestone they came up with some new solutions that Casey liked and we think they'll be a good step forward from what we already have. Marco's finger injury shouldn't create too many problems so he should continue to improve his feeling with the bike."

Estoril is a circuit of huge contrasts. The main straight is one of the longest in MotoGP, allowing for speeds in excess of 310km/h, whilst the chicane is one of the slowest. The average speed of the circuit is the lowest of the entire MotoGP calendar and the contrast between the fast and slow sections requires a tricky compromise in the set-up of the chassis.

The same can be said for the engine, which needs to provide good top speed as well as sweet performance in low revs.

However, perhaps the most important variable for the riders is the circuit's close proximity to the Atlantic ocean, which can create strong winds that unbalance the riders and leave dirt on the track surface, reducing grip levels.