Bayliss (21) was faster than Haga (41) and Fabrizio (84) at Misano over the weekend.

Australia’s Troy Bayliss has set the pace in the latest three-day Ducati Xerox test alongside World Ducati Week at Misano in Italy, lapping faster than current team regulars Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio over the weekend.

Haga and Fabrizio were on track on their factory 1198 bikes while Troy Bayliss, testing for the second time this season, rode the development machine, aided by Ducati’s Superbike development team under the guidance of Ernesto Marinelli who, as well as undertaking the role of team manager, acted as Bayliss’ race engineer once more on occasion of the tests.

Also present for the tests were other Ducati privateer teams including World Superbike outfits Althea Racing with riders Carlos Checa and Shane Byrne, the DFX Corse riders Lorenzo Lanzi and Regis Laconi, as well as the Supersonic Racing Team with Italian rider Luca Scassa.

The three Ducati Xerox riders completed five hours of testing on Thursday, registering some very fast lap times, maintaining a good rhythm despite the very hot conditions which didn’t drop below 30 degrees Celsius during the test.

The final day of the test was private, with the WDW event having closed yesterday, and all three riders were on track all day, alongside private teams Althea Racing, DFX Corse and Supersonic.

Bayliss stunned on the final day by setting a 1:35.6, bettering the current racers’ times of 1:36.2 for Fabrizio and Haga’s 1:36.4.

“The testing’s gone really well and with more time on track today the times improved quite a bit this morning,” Bayliss commented. “I’m happy with how it all went and hope my feedback can help Nori and Michel, but I’m also tired because we’ve had a lot to do during this edition of WDW, both on and off track!

“As I said during Saturday’s WDW press conference, I have made up my mind and I won’t be coming back to the racing but I will undertake one more Superbike test later this year, just before the Imola SBK round, as agreed with Ducati at the start of the season.”

Fabrizio was also satisfied with the test despite trailing Bayliss on the time sheets.

“It was great to do some testing during WDW as the fans were able to see what goes on,” the Italian explained. “Today was the only full day on track and we got a lot done in preparation for the race here in two weeks. It’s been extremely hot but conditions will undoubtedly be similar for the race so it was definitely useful.

“I’m happy with the times, my best was a 1:36.2 which is fairly good in this heat, and I would say that we leave here in a positive state of mind, ready for the race in two weeks time.”

Haga also admitted it was a positive test for the team despite the heat.

“It’s definitely been a useful test session, even though it was very hot! I enjoyed WDW, my first as a Ducati factory rider, but today we got the real work done, and I’m feeling more confident about the next Misano race,” he said.

“We tested the new tyre and we made various modifications to my bike through the day. All in all I think we can say it was a very positive test. Now we go home for a few days and then we are back here for the race!”

Team manager Marinelli wrapped up the team’s statements following the three days of testing at WDW.

“It’s definitely been an intense weekend, but also one of the best I’ve had,” he commented. “The whole team and the riders have worked hard, and the passion of the Ducatisti here never dwindled for a second, despite the sweltering heat that we had here every day.

“In the last few months we have had some difficult and frustrating times but the support and affection that every fan has shown this weekend has definitely given us a unique motivation. A huge thank-you to all the Ducatisti! The test was very positive and we are confident ahead of the race.”