Bostrom tests Ducati, etc.

Ben Bostrom is testing the World Superbike Ducati this week in Spain at Cartagena. Bostrom said via Ducati Corse press sources: "Finally a dry track after the private tests at Imola. I needed to lap in better conditions than the previous tests in order to work on a few details and to push the bike hard. After 90 laps on the track, the feeling with the 2000 Factory 996 is much better. We've had a very positive day today". Bostrom tested a new brake pads and a newer version of their data acquisition system. Xaus and Casoli rode around on the new 748RS, and the latter said they need to do work on the engine mapping to make the power output "less brutal".

Kawasaki has the Daytona International Speedway for two days past the Dunlop test this weekend for a private test.

Injured racer Stu Goddard has his halo off and will begin driving this week, say my sources. He's back in his normal wheelchair and will be back at his post at Peterson Publishing just after the first of the year.

Castrol Honda rider Colin Edwards has returned from the Australian Honda test and will now do the deed. Edwards will marry long-time girlfriend Alyshia Hayes within the next two weeks. Persons in his wedding party include his former motocross wrench, and current Yamaha roadrace technician, Tom Halverson. Both the bachelor and bachelorette parties are coming up. Any reports of nuclear fallout clouds in the area of Texas will not be of mysterious origin.

All eyes at the Dunlop test will be on Nicky Hayden to see if the Kentucky youngster can continue to lap fast on the 600 as he has done at Willow Springs tests, and to see what he can do on the RC45/RC51 Superbike.
 

More later, maybe.