Ducati GP12 test wrap-up with Checa and Battaini at Jerez

Yesterday Ducati's pre-season test at the Jerez Circuit came to an end. Carlos Checa and Franco Battaini were the key figures in describing how the GP12 felt to them.

By GloriaUpdated 24 January 2012 · Published 20 January 2012 · 2 min read

Yesterday Ducati’s mysterious test at the Jerez Circuit came to an end. Very little has leaked out about these sessions, which suggests the Italian manufacturer wants to keep its weapons secret for the upcoming MotoGP World Championship 2012 season.

After three days of Carlos Checa and Franco Battaini working flat out with the GP12, Ducati’s secret test at the Andalusian track has been wrapped up. At the last minute, the Italian manufacturer issued a brief statement expressing its impressions of this pre-season session with its new machine. They appear fairly pleased, although they have revealed neither lap times nor any other data. Many fans are left wishing they could find cheap flights to Jerez to try to uncover what’s new on this mysterious GP12.

It was stated that the Ducati team, with Filippo Preziosi in charge and providing direction, managed to complete the programme planned for these three days of testing at the Jerez circuit, alongside Carlos Checa and Franco Battaini. This was despite fairly cold weather conditions, fortunately without rain, which allowed everyone to continue with their assigned work and prepare for the Sepang test. Now the hardest part awaits the factory riders, Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden.

Checa has contributed a great deal to Ducati and its GP12, although he has also gained impressions of his 2012 machine for the World Superbike Championship. Yesterday afternoon he rode his Ducati SBK 1198 in its 2012 configuration, and to be honest it took him a little effort, mainly because of the extra 6 kg on the bike, a considerable increase compared with the 2011 season weight (from 165 to 171 kg).

Carlos Checa’s Twitter (@CarlosCheca7):

End of test with the GP. In the afternoon I rode my 1198 for the first time at Jerez, recovering excellent feelings and already preparing for this season.

Now we’ll have to wait until 31 January to see the Ducati GP12 in action. We’re all eager to see some interesting novelties on the red missiles.

Via | Bikeracing.it