Kyalami: Ducati Friday notes

ON THE BACK OF HIS MONZA WIN, FABRIZIO (DUCATI XEROX) IS FASTEST IN FIRST QUALIFYING AT KYALAMI

Kyalami (South Africa) Friday 15th May: Ducati Xerox rider Michel Fabrizio, with the bit between his teeth and undoubtedly spurred on by his maiden win at Monza last week, took to the Kyalami track today with a perceptible determination, to top the time sheets in both the morning free practice session as well as this afternoon's first qualifying. Noriyuki Haga meanwhile concluded this first day in sixth position, having made various changes throughout the session to try to resolve problems with the front suspension.

In the first qualifying session of the weekend, on a track that had cooled significantly since the morning's practice, five riders ducked under the 1m39 barrier with Michel lapping fastest, with a lap time four tenths faster than that recorded by second-placed Honda rider Jonathan Rea.

The injury that Noriyuki sustained to his right bicep during last weekend's Monza round remains sore, and prevented him from performing at the maximum level, however the treatment that he is receiving from the doctors at the Clinica Mobile allowed him to ride without particular problems.

Last here in December when he participated in winter testing, Ducati man Michel Fabrizio topped the time sheets on each of the three days, with a fastest time of 1m39.7s, recorded on the third and final day. Team-mate Noriyuki, riding the 1198 for the first time during those tests, registered a fastest lap time of 1m39.9s.

Michel Fabrizio 1m38.1s

"Everything has gone well so far. After the win and second place at Monza I've arrived here ready for action. We were fast right from the beginning of this morning's practice and this made it easier to improve further during the qualifying. We'll see tomorrow but I'm sure that to remain ahead I need to go a few tenths faster than I have today. I'm aware that I'm 21 points off second place in the championship and knowing this only spurs me on further!"

Noriyuki Haga 1m39.0s

"Physically, I've not had too many problems and my arm already feels better this afternoon compared to this morning but it's getting tired easily and I haven't been able to put together many consecutive laps. The bike isn't copying the uneven track surface and this puts more strain on my arm. Anyway, today the bike has felt similar to how it did during winter testing which is a good thing but tomorrow we need to try a different setting to improve on times and get us to the front of the pack."

-credit: ducati