Gibernau tests Ducati again

From Marlboro Ducati

Sete Gibernau finished a two-day testing session he was taking part in at Mugello together with official testers Vittoriano Guareschi and Niccola Canepa on Wednesday that will continue Thursday for the final day.

The Spanish rider, back in action for the third time after retiring almost two years ago, kept up an excellent pace, lapping consistently in around 1:50.5 with race tire. Despite the difficult climatic conditions, with scorching air and track temperatures, Gibernau clocked an impressive fastest lap time in 1:48.9 with qualifying tires.

A crash around the end of the day, luckily without consequences, brought an early end to the test for Gibernau.

"It has been great trying again a qualifying tire after almost two years," said a smiling Gibernau, "but the most important thing is that the feeling with the bike in race trim was perfect almost straight away. Despite the crash it has been a very positive test. I wish to thank again Ducati for the chance of riding again the MotoGP. We will see together whether and how there will be the chance to continue our cooperation.

"Today I have experienced again the 'thrill' of a crash and I'm fine. I have decided together with Filippo [Preziosi] not to ride tomorrow just because we are satisfied already with the good job we did in two days."

The testing session will end Thursday with Guareschi and Canepa, who has been very quick and consistent also. Today he didn't try qualifying tires but concentrated on the bike in race attire with which he lapped several times under 1:51 with a personal best lap time of 1:50.2.