MotoGP news

Ducati duo hopeful heading to Mugello

The Ducati team is preparing itself for one of the most popular events of the season for the teams, riders and fans this weekend, as the Grand Prix of Italy takes place at the Mugello circuit, located less than 90 kilometres from the factory's headquarters in Borgo Panigale.

"Whenever anybody asks me which is my favourite track, other than my home track of Phillip Island, Mugello immediately springs to mind," said Casey Stoner. "It is a true racetrack - fast, technical and demanding because it requires a precise line otherwise you can lose a lot of time. Last year we missed the podium by a little bit but the race was still important because we learnt some things about the bike that helped us be competitive at the races that followed. This year we arrive on the back of a tough race, where we had a problem that prevented us from scoring a podium, but on the whole it was a positive weekend because we had a fast and consistent pace going during practice. Hopefully we can manage to be just as fast at Mugello but have a good race too - for the fans, who always create such a special atmosphere in Italy, but mainly for everybody at Ducati and the guys in the team, who are working so hard and deserve a top result."

Marco Melandri commented, "I don't think there are many tracks in the world that are as beautiful as Mugello and I'm sure the majority of riders would agree with me. It's not just about the atmosphere and the fans, even though it is exciting to feel their presence and to see the grandstands packed out - as I'm sure the Ducati one will be. The track is enjoyable but demanding at the same time, with a long straight that isn't perfectly straight! That makes it difficult, then you have a mixture of slow and fast corners, with fast changes of direction - you know when you are on a good lap. You have to be quick through the chicane and make sure you have good feeling with the front in order to be fast and aggressive. It is a circuit the Ducati technicians know well and where I hope we can have the chance to have a good race. I'd really like to do well in front of my home fans."

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