|
The Wrooom
Ducati Corse MotoGP Press Ski Meeting 2007 got underway
on Tuesday with the first of two scheduled press
conferences. Today's
saw the participation of the Chairman and Managing
Director of Ducati Motor Holding, Federico Minoli, and
Casey Stoner, currently the youngest rider on the MotoGP
grid, who wore the red colours of the Ducati Marlboro
Team for the first time.
"It seems that despite being a very small company and
despite bending over backwards" commented
Federico Minoli
regarding Ducati's commitment in MotoGP, "there is an
almost magical combination of genius, technology and
all-Italian passion that allows us to remain at the same
high level as last year. Although the overall investment
is extremely high, in terms of cost to the company it is
one that can be entirely sustained by our budget. Most
of the resources dedicated to racing are covered by the
proceeds coming from sponsors, whom I wish to thank for
their fundamental support, as well as television rights
and licensing products. I am also particularly proud to
underline that the extraordinary sales success of the
new 1098 bike plays a part in helping us spend the right
amount to finance our sporting activity".
"We are very pleased with the team", added Federico
Minoli now speaking about the two Ducati Marlboro Team riders
for 2007.
"Loris has now become a part of the bike, a centrepiece
not only for racing but also for the image of Ducati,
while Casey represents the future. He comes from a place
called Kurri Kurri and therefore it is impossible for
him to go slow! He is a young rider, and still has time
to mature and become more consistent. For this he has an
expert in his team to whom he can tap into. At the end
of the day we all agree with what Wayne Rainey had to
say: It is easier for a fast rider to learn how not to
crash than a slow rider to learn how to go quick.
|
 |
|
New Ducati Corse
signing Casey Stoner tries out the new Alfa Spider
at Vrooom 2007 this week. Alfa Romeo and Ducati
Corse have a sponsorship tie-up. |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
The Wrooom Ducati Corse MotoGP Press Ski Meeting
2007 got underway on Tuesday with the first of two
scheduled press conferences. |
|
|
"It seems that there is already a good feeling with the team
and this is the best possible start. We wish Casey and Loris
all the best and for the team to do better than all the
others," Minoli concluded.
Then it was the
turn of an excited and smiling
Casey Stoner, who
arrived in Madonna di Campiglio with his wife Adriana, whom
he married just over a week ago. "There is
nothing that makes me happier than being a Ducati rider",
declared Stoner on greeting the international press. "The
bike has improved and become more and more competitive ever
since its debut in MotoGP, and so have the Bridgestone
tyres, something that I could see in the first tests. I
think I've got an excellent package and I'm also sure that
Ducati is a great family of which I am proud to be a part
of. Last year was my first year in MotoGP and I was the only
rider in the team, but I think that having a team-mate to
shape up against is better. I am sure that I will learn a
lot from Loris, I don't think I could have hoped for a
better team-mate than him at this moment in time and
probably never will."
"In 2006 I made
a few mistakes", continued the young Australian. "Too many
crashes due to very little feeling with the front, something
that I haven't noticed with the Bridgestones. I want to
start from here, learn and make progress, and try and get
the best possible results. As for the bike, I'm very happy
with the power; in the tests so far I didn't feel much
difference to the 1000cc machines. I am really pleased with
the way everything is going and hope that we can continue to
improve."
|
|
|
|
