DUCATI'S three-day test session at Mugello has concluded with Sete Gibernau clocking around 800kms on the factory's new GP8 and GP9 Desmosedici racers.
In this, only his second test session after nearly two years away from the tracks, Gibernau has proved that he still has the speed and is also more than competent in providing the Ducati Corse engineers with useful feedback for the development of the Desmosedici.
Gibernau made many exits of 4 or 5 laps each and demonstrated a high level of physical fitness, in view of the difficult climatic conditions, with air temperatures of over 30 degrees and track temperatures exceeding 50 degrees. Despite this, the Spanish rider kept up an excellent pace, lapping consistently in a low 1m 51.
Worth a mention too is his fastest lap, made on a race tyre (Sete didn't test qualifiers), of 1m 50.5 on board the GP8, just a few tenths off this year's race record (belonging to Casey Stoner).
Sete said: "I want to thank not only Ducati but also all the guys that have supported me here. Some of them worked with me in 2006 and it was great to find ourselves together again. I've really enjoyed myself today and have had a completely new experience as a rider. The faster you go, the more obvious it becomes that this bike demands a real physical and mental effort, but when you manage to ride it well, the satisfaction is unique. I hope my work has been of use to Filippo, to help understand the differences between the GP8 and GP9. They are two machines with characteristics typical of Ducati, and the GP9, although new, with great potential."
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