"As is the case every year, it's a pleasure to kick off our season in such a nice setting as Madonna di Campiglio," Preziosi began before providing a brief summary of the work schedule that led to the assembly of the GP12, currently taking place in Borgo Panigale. "Over the recent months, we followed an intensive, consistent test program, which culminated with the two-day post-race test in Valencia. By analyzing the data-acquisition information, the riders' comments and the setup sheets, we defined the target values for the new frame geometry. Now, with Jeremy (Burgess), Juan (Martinez) and our riders, we'll work at the track to define the bike's base setup so that we can then proceed with the customary development work that's typically done during winter testing, with the goal of starting a trend of improvement in terms of competitiveness. Normally, it takes two years to complete the process from the calculation stage, to design, to component construction, to test-bench ‘shakedown,' to track testing, to racing. By compressing this process down to a span of just months, we've accepted a challenge that we know will be very difficult, but we believe it's possible. All this is thanks to the extraordinary group that includes Valentino and Nicky, who last year agreed to a number of tests that often affected their performance, as well as our team, our designers and our sponsors-in particular the Title Sponsor, a partner that has always been steadfastly at our side. Ducati is a company that has already faced significant challenges in the past, and I'm proud to be a part of it."
Tomorrow, Wrooom will be dedicated to the Ferrari drivers, so Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden will have the chance to enjoy Madonna di Campiglio before the final day, featuring the kart and auto exhibition with the riders and drivers on the town's frozen lake.
