The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team, with official riders Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano, took to the track in its new configuration for the first time this week at the Portuguese circuit in Portimao. The team had a lot planned for the two-day session, with work centering around the shake-down of the brand new 2015 Ducati Panigale bikes, constructed during the weeks prior to this test session.
 
Unfortunately Wednesday’s schedule was interrupted by regular rain showers throughout the day, which made for a permanently wet track. The track conditions were similar again yesterday morning, as a result of which factory riders Davies and Giugliano were only really able to head out on track in the afternoon. Over the two day session, the Italian team worked on testing several electronic updates as well as the new 2015 suspension. Despite the difficulties caused by the inclement weather, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team declared itself pleased with the data collected during these very first tests of the 2015 racing season.
 
Next week, the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati Superbike Team will return to the track, in Jerez, Spain, for another two days of testing (26-27 January) in preparation for next month’s opening races of the 2015 Superbike World Championship, to take place in Australia over the weekend of 20-22 February.
 
Davide Giugliano: “Unfortunately this two day test was compromised by the poor weather. We only started to work in dry conditions in the early afternoon of yesterday. It’s given us just a first taste of the newly-built 2015 bikes really. We’ve concentrated on identifying a base set-up for both the electronics and the suspension, with used tyres, without worrying too much about lap times. We have another two-day test at Jerez next week in which to continue preparations before leaving for Phillip Island. We hope for some good weather there so that we can work hard throughout the two days.”
 
Chaz Davies: “It’s been great to get back on the bike after the winter break. Unfortunately the weather limited our work somewhat and we were unable to fully evaluate certain new solutions as track conditions were never perfect. My general feeling with the bike is good however, aand this is positive. At this point, I really hope we find good weather at the next tests in Jerez so that we can continue to work and also draw some comparisons with the other teams.”