Checa testing Ducati GP12 today

'GPzero' taking place at Jerez over the next three days

Posted: 23 November 2011
by Visordown News

2011 WSB CHAMPION Carlos Checa will be at Jerez for the next three days testing the Ducati Desmosedici GP12 at GPzero.

The Spaniard will join Franco Battaini to continue the development of the Desmosedici GP12 that Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden will race next season. Alongside the new 1000cc engine for 2012, the bike also features an aluminium twin-beam frame (pics below) after the struggles Ducati had with the carbon monocoque chassis.

Rossi himself is doubtful to be attending the test at Jerez, as the Italian is taking part in this weekend's Monza rally that starts on Friday. He will race a WRC-prepped Ford Fiesta in the event.

Also at the test will be a host of teams and riders, including Colin Edwards making his debut for Forward Racing on the Suter/BMW CRT bike, the BMW World Superbike team of Leon Haslam and Marco Melandri and a number of Moto2 teams including; Aspar, Gresini, Marc VDS, Pons Racing and Tech3.

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Discuss this story

Timpster

Rossi can't test anyway due to the MOTOGP riders testing ban so no real need to be there, just thought i'd post this before the haters come on whinging about his lack of commitment.

Posted: 23/11/2011 at 13:22

Rob M 9

I think he can test, the window for the ban is december until end of january I believe.

However, he's been preparing the Monza rally for months and it's being dedicated to Simoncelli, and ducati haven't really got much more to test since Valencia, so I think it's a no brainer for Vale.

I think the first year was doing it Ducatis way with the L4, CF 'Frame'. This year I believe it's going to be the racing teams (VR/JB) way with a V4 and Alloy frame.

In all honesty, as bad as last year was, if things go right in the development, which I think they will, then next years duke might shut a few doubters up who think Vale managed to win by 'chance' 9 times...

Posted: 23/11/2011 at 14:04

Pagik

Rob, very well said with regards to the haters.

Yeah, Vale could have gone to this, but there's no point, as you rightly say. All motogp riders can test up until December the first (fairly certain of this).

There is a moto2 test this week too, Marquez still not well enough though apparently.

Posted: 23/11/2011 at 14:36

Timpster

Guys, the testing ban for MOTOGP riders started after the Valencia test until the next scheduled test at the end of January.
Test riders can still ride as can non MOTOGP riders, it is only the actual GP riders who can't test the bike right now.
However the CRT teams can test this week i believe.

Posted: 23/11/2011 at 17:11

Kieranrb

Actually that ban has been removed; it was announced a couple of weeks ago; http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2011/Grand+Prix+Commission+2012+testing

Posted: 23/11/2011 at 17:48

Timpster

Yes they had 8 official days for the 2011 year, however Ducati have used all 8 up already hence Rossi and Hayden can't officially test, Yamaha and Honda hadn't used the full 8 days and could have tested if they wanted upto next Wednesday ( 30th ).

Posted: 24/11/2011 at 11:48

Rob M 9

Timpster, thats gone now, there is no longer an 8 day limit (even for 2011). They're limited to about ~250 tyres and thats it (for the year).

Posted: 24/11/2011 at 12:36

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