A Positive Start For The Pramac D’Antin Team At The Official IRTA Test

The first day of the official IRTA tested concluded positively at the Jerez circuit of Spain for the Pramac Dantin MotoGP team. Under heavy overcast skies, dark clouds dumped furiously in the morning, forcing our riders to sit out most of the morning session while they waited for better conditions with which to test their Ducati GP7’s in the late afternoon. After lunch, the sun came out and greeted the riders while they took to the racetrack in earnest.

The Pramac D’Antin MotoGP team unveiled it’s bright new livery for the first time this season during the IRTA test, much to the delight of the team members and the crowds who gathered to meet with our pilots.

The Brazilian Alex Barros, aboard his DucatiGP7, completed 35 laps with a best time of 1’43.214, which was good for fifth position, while Alex “The Hoff” Hofmann, with a time of 1’43.673, put in 31 laps and finished the first day in eigth place. Both Pramac riders utilized Bridgestone race tires for their first day out on track.

Alex Barros (1’43.214 - 35 laps):

“It was a complicated day, with the rain and temperature conditions affecting the track surface. The track surface wasn’t dry enough to get the best from our slicks, and it wasn’t wet enough to really use the rain tires, so we used today to display the new colors of the Team and we ended up with a pretty good result. Depending on tomorrow’s weather, we’ll concentrate on getting the best base set-up of the bike”.

Alex Hofmann (1’43.673 – 31 laps):

“I wasn’t feeling at my best due to an upset stomach. I didn’t make many laps because the track conditions weren’t good. I wanted to push harder, but I couldn’t. I’m very happy with my team, and we’ll work harder tomorrow. Hopefully the weather is better”.

Fabiano Sterlacchini – Track Engineer for Alex Barros:

“We couldn’t make the best set-up because of the weather conditions. We adjusted the engine settings because the track conditions changed throughout the day. Tomorrow, if the weather is good, we will concentrate on testing the tires from Bridgestone”.

Emanuele Martinelli –Track Engineer of Alex Hofmann:

“We really couldn’t test very many things because Alex wasn’t at 100%, but we accomplished our goa l today which was to determine the best tire profile from the range of Bridgestone tires we had at our disposal. We tried several types of tires, and even if the times weren’t so good, I’m satisfied with the way that Alex is getting to know the DucatiGP7 because I know the times will come when Hofmann is feeling better”.

Official Times:

1, Marco Melandri: 1’42.563
2, Casey Stoner: 1’42.634
3, Dani Pedrosa: 1’42.706
4, Carlos Checa: 1’43.206
5, Alex Barros: 1’43.214
6, Randy de Puniet: 1’43.315
7, Loris Capirossi: 1’43.475
8, Alex Hofmann: 1’43.673
9, Tony Elias: 1’43.687

Related Links
www.pramacdantin.com