~
Happ.nln. s In Motoceydln.
Laconi Back "to
Mo"toEiP?
World Superbike Cham pionship runner-up Regis Laconl was
invited to the rece nt MotoGP test at the Jerez Circuit in Spain
to ride the Ducati Marlboro Desmosed ici Moto GP bike.
Frenchman Laconi - one half of the Italian manufacturer 's
attack o n next year's World Superbike championship, toge ther with champion James Tose land - was present In the unusual
role of test rider.
Laconi, who was called in by Ducati Corse to lend a hand
in the latest tests at Jerez and Valencia. went out with the
prototype GP5 bike, which had already been tested at Valencia by Vittoriano Guareschi . He focused on electronics and
engine mapping work on the Italian V-four machine, and he
offered valuable support in the development of the bike that
Loris Capiross i and Carlos Checa will race in next year 's
MotoGP World Championship. He then accomanied the team
to the Valencia Circuit, where his tenure as a Ducat i
Desmosedici development test rider came to a positive end
with a best time of I minute , 35.78 seconds. Laconi's total of
44 laps included a crash , which he luckilycame away from
without any ser ious consequences.
92 DECEMBER 15, 2004 • CYCLE NEWS
40th Anniversary
