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TOUGH BUT DETERMINED RACE FOR STONER AND MELANDRI

It certainly wasn't an easy Grand Prix of Spain for the two Ducati MotoGP Team riders at the tricky Jerez circuit but a show of character and determination. For Casey Stoner, who was never completely comfortable with the set-up of his GP8 all weekend, his desire to give 100% combined with a touch of bad luck saw him run into the gravel twice.

After a superb start lifted him to third place on the opening lap, the World Champion's first off-track excursion came on the third lap and saw him relegated to last place. By the 22nd lap an exciting fight-back had lifted him back into the fight for fifth but contact with Nakano at the end of the back straight led to another trip across the gravel. Stoner again returned to the track in eleventh and without enough remaining laps to repeat his comeback.

Like in Qatar, Marco Melandri saved his best for the race and set a much better pace in the second half of the encounter to rise from the very back of the grid to a twelfth place finish.

CASEY STONER (Ducati MotoGP Team) 11th
"Today wasn't my day - I suppose it wasn't my weekend! We never found the set-up here that would let us make the most of our potential. Normally braking is one of the strong points of our bike but here I just didn't have the feeling with the front. I wasn't quite on the limit when I ran off track the first time but I couldn't get the bike stopped so it took me by surprise because we weren't doing anything differently. After that I had to really push to get back into the race and I was pretty happy once I caught the group. Just when I was passing Nakano he let go of the brakes and touched my wheel, so I had nowhere to go but the gravel. I think I could have finished fifth, which I would have been happy with, but instead it was a bit of a disaster. The tyres weren't perfect but they weren't bad either so I can't blame it on that. I'm not happy but it's not the end of the world - there are plenty of other tracks and other races, starting with Portugal, where we went well last year and finished on the podium, even if we had some little problems, and where this year we will try to fight for victory."

MARCO MELANDRI (Ducati MotoGP Team) 12th
"Today, like in Qatar, we improved in the second half of the race when the bike improved under braking and on the way into the corners so I could ride much better. Unfortunately I didn't have the grip on the rear and that made me lose a lot under acceleration as soon as I went on the gas. This is my main problem and it is this which we must improve. We knew, however, that this weekend would be difficult because this track is something of an Achilles heel for Ducati, with the 800 at least, because with the 990 they won. In any case we must work and we must continue to improve especially the rear grip".

LIVIO SUPPO (Ducati MotoGP Project Leader)
"It's been an unfortunate day for Casey, his first running of track affected his whole race. After that he set a great pace and produced a brilliant comeback. Unfortunately he then touched with Nakano and that cost him fifth place - a result that would have been satisfactory at a circuit that really doesn't suit our package. It's a shame but it's only the second race and he can be up there. Today he showed that he's a fighter and that he never gives up. Marco, like in Qatar, was able to lap at the sort of pace we expect from him in the second part of the race so we need to understand why he's struggling so much in the first half. Tomorrow we have a day of tests and we'll work hard to help him and to work out why we've struggled so much here."

Enjoy a VIP Day with Ducati at the MotoGP

Ducati UK will be rolling out the ‘red carpet’ for up to 50 guests at this year’s Moto GP on the 22nd June at Donington Park. This exclusive offer will enable race fans to cheer on their heroes from the comfort of a hospitality suite at Redgate that offers panoramic views from the start- finish straight to Redgate Corner and the sweep into Hollywood.

The Ducati hospitality package offers fantastic value for money with dedicated parking, ‘grandstand’ type views, television coverage, food and refreshments throughout the day and a programme and a Ducati gift as a memento of a day to remember.

This VIP offer is limited to 50 places to ensure an exclusive experience, the full package includes:

•Admission ticket to circuit and hospitality suite at Redgate.
•Privileged parking 1 per 2 guests
•Tea and coffee on arrival
•Official programme
•Exclusive viewing area across track and paddock
•Circuit television coverage within the VIP area
•Waitress service throughout the day
•Fresh coffee and tea selection
•Complimentary beers, wines and soft drinks
•Two course buffet lunch
•Afternoon tea served with selection of sandwiches and fresh cream scones
•Daily newspapers
•Race Day Gift

Price per person £299.00

To order tickets send cheques to:

Bobbie Cowley
Events Manager
Ducati UK Ltd
Avebury House
201-249 Avebury Boulevard
Milton Keynes
MK9 1AU

Cheques made payable to Ducati UK limited

For further information call 0845 1222 996, email events@ducatiuk.com or visit www.ducatiuk.com

BAYLISS TAKES THE DOUBLE WIN AT PHILLIP ISLAND. FABRIZIO TAKES FIRST PODIUM WITH THE DUCATI XEROX TEAM

Phillip Island (Australia), Sunday 2nd March: an incredible day for the Ducati Xerox Team with both Bayliss and Fabrizio performing impeccably. Twice world-champion Troy Bayliss took the double win in front of his home crowd, in what is to be his last ever Superbike race day at Phillip Island. Despite the elbow injury he sustained in a high-side yesterday morning, Bayliss rode the two races perfectly, leading the field from the start in Race 1 (restart) and leading for most of Race 2 after rival Corser crashed out in the early stages. Fabrizio had a much more difficult start to race 1 after failing to leave the start line. He sustained muscular contusions to his right calf and although in pain returned to the grid for the race 1 restart. After a less than perfect start, Fabrizio soon moved up from eighth place to fourth and, after a battle with Corser and Xaus, was able to take an impressive third place and his first podium with the Ducati Xerox Team. Unfortunately in Race 2 a jump start for Fabrizio meant a drive through penalty, leaving him unable to catch up and with an eventual nineteenth place finish.

Bayliss now leads the championship with 88 points, 27 points ahead from Nieto (Suzuki) while Fabrizio is in eighth place overall. Ducati leads the manufacturers championship with 95 points and a 32 point advantage over Suzuki.

Troy Bayliss (winner - Race 1 and Race 2)

"It's something you dream of, to have a double win and I knew this year it would be difficult to achieve but I have a great team behind me who all worked really hard. overnight They had to build a new bike for me from scratch after my crash yesterday. I had a few ups and downs this weekend. After Race 1 I was struggling with the last 6 laps but in the end I managed to take the win. In the second race the tyres were a little slower but I felt better on the bike which was more consistent and a pleasure to ride. After race 1 I was so tired but after the second one I felt great. I had to concentrate hard today as in the second race, even though I was ahead I was aware I had to keep it together and put in some consistently good laps. It's been incredible, great weather and some good racing. I know there will be fighting to come later this season so two wins like that was just fantastic."

Michel Fabrizio (3rd place - Race 1)

"All in all, it was a good day. I'm sorry for what happened this morning on the grid but the bike failed to leave the start line and that unfortunately caused an accident. The blow to my leg from the impact from David Checa's bike meant that of course my leg was hurting a lot during the restarted race 1 but I gritted my teeth and did what I had to do. Then there was the jump start in race 2. I realised straight away that I'd done it and unfortunately after the ride-through penalty that they gave me, I wasn't able to catch the others. A big thank-you goes to my team today as they had to completely rebuild my bike between the two races, literally from the frame, so I'm very grateful to them."

RESULTS: RACE 1 - 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 2. Corser (Yamaha) 3. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox); 4. Xaus (Ducati); 5. Nieto (Suzuki) 6. Checa (Honda). RACE 2 - 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox); 2. Checa (Honda); 3. Nieto (Suzuki); 4. Xaus (Ducati); 5. Neukirchner (Suzuki); 6. Kiyonari (Honda)

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: Piloti - 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 88; 2. Nieto (Suzuki) 61; 3. Xaus (Ducati) 59; 4. Corser (Yamaha) 45; 5. Checa (Honda) 45; 6. Neukirchner (Suzuki) 39; 7. Biaggi (Ducati) 36; 8. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 34 Manufacturers - 1. Ducati 95; Suzuki 65; Yamaha 54; Honda 46; Kawasaki 7

TESTING STARTS WELL FOR AIRWAVES DUCATI

Airwaves Ducati are pleased with their progress following the completion of a 3 day test in Almeria.

It was the first outing for the team on the new Ducati 1098R's with both riders recording consistently good times and feeling confident on the new machinery. With an air temperature of 19 degrees and a track temperature of 28 degrees, the 4km circuit saw 397 laps completed by the Airwaves Ducati riders; 220 by Shane Byrne and 177 by Leon Camier.

The test allowed the team to familiarise themselves with the new bike and experience the new Pirelli tyres. Team manager Colin Wright commended the service of the new BSB tyre provider saying; 'Pirelli have been excellent during this test; I would like to thank them for the service and support that they have provided. The whole team has worked well and we are all very happy with the way we have started 2008.'

Leon Camier was pleased with his first test as an Airwaves Ducati rider; although he acknowledges he still has further to go before he is fully recovered from his injury. 'I am happy with the way things have started here; it's all been pretty good! I still have lots to learn in order for me to get the best out of the Ducati but the team have been awesome; they are really easy to work with and I felt we achieved a lot in a short space of time. It has been a learning curve with the tyres but the bike has been great and I know there is a lot more to come. My plan now is to go home and continue to work hard on my fitness, I was impressed with how strong I felt but I want to feel even stronger in time for the next test.'

Shane Byrne was also pleased with his progress saying; 'This test has gone really well for me. I have done 6 or 7 race simulations and I think I have completed more laps than anybody else and it all felt really good. We have started exactly as I wanted to, in order for us to be as strong as we can be come the start of the season. My concentration has been on lapping consistently here and whilst we need to understand the Pirelli tyres more I feel we have started well. The team have worked really hard and we are all looking forward to getting going again at our next test.'

The Airwaves Ducati teams' next test will be at Calafat on March 10th - 13th.

Buildbase Ducati receives "Best Team Award"

The Buildbase Ducati Team was recognised for its efforts this year and

awarded the Best Team Award at the first-ever David Jefferies Memorial

Awards Dinner held at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford on Friday night.

The black-tie event designed to recognise the major achievements in

motorcycle racing for 2007 and sponsored by Bennetts Motorcycle Insurance

was also an opportunity to raise funds for numerous charities and remember

the life and achievements of nine times TT winner David Jefferies whose life

was tragically taken in an accident at the Isle of Man in 2003.

The night was hosted by celebrity guest Vernon Kay and Sky Televisions very

own Keith Huewen and well attended by the motorcycle racing fraternity

including the newly crowned 2007 World Superbike Champion, James Toseland.

The panel of judges who had the unenviable task of deciding the winners of

the various awards was chaired by Tony Jefferies and consisted of Roger

Burnett, Niall Mackenzie, Colin Appleyard and Karen Milsom of Bennetts

Insurance.

Buildbase Ducati was awarded the "Best Team Award for 2007" which is clearly

great news for its riders and crew and for all of its sponsors and partners

who have been recognised for their support, commitment and hard work

throughout the year.

John Hackett and Ken Foley were delighted to receive the award on behalf of

the extended Team and would like to thank the judges, event organisers and

in particular Tony Jefferies for putting on such a fantastic event.

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Earlier in the year we announced to you all that we were moving up to the “premier league” British Superbike Championship and that this was a dream come true for me, John, and JHP Racing in general.

Well I am pleased to let you know that after many hours of blood sweat and tears we have recently completed a successful testing programme at Almeria and Guadix and that both the riders and their bikes have performed very well indeed and we’re now looking forward to the official launch of the Championship next weekend at Snetterton.

This year the North West 200 Ducati Team will benefit from having its own exclusive hospitality facility and having seen the two tier purpose built suite we are all very excited. The suite has been furnished with all the mod con’s you would expect, everything from live Television feeds (where possible) to an upper viewing area as well as the food and refreshments being prepared by the some of the best caterers in British Motorsport.

Our hospitality will be managed and run by Samantha Lawson (07515282747) and it will give us a great platform on which to launch NW200 Ducati into BSB and provide our sponsors, partners and everyone associated with the Team a much needed social environment in which to go racing.