Garry McCoy has concluded his first World Superbike test session after signing a contract for the 2004 WSBK season with Scuderia Caracchi Nortel Networks.

The 32-year old Australian ran with the team at Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia this week and, having no options to continue in the MotoGP Championship, agreed to campaign a new 999R Ducati in the 2004 WSBK. The former 500cc GP winner replaces Ducati Fila bound Regis Laconi.

After the conclusion of the agreement, McCoy jumped back into the saddle of his new bike, riding for a total of twenty laps, all focused to gain a good knowledge of a mount unfamiliar to him, in particular the weight and power characteristics totally different from the grand prix machines he has used to this point in his career. He also had to adapt to different tyres, and spent the day beginning to make adjustments to the bike to suit his own riding style.

"It has been a day full dedicated to getting to know the team, to compare our working systems and for setting-up the 999R, a machine totally unknown for me," he said, "It's not the day to speak about lap-times, especially because the arm I injured during the Bologna Motor Show is still giving me a lot of pains.

"I've seen that the team has a very good approach to set-up work, and I'm confident that, during the next couple of months leading up to my championship debut, we'll bring me and the bike up to strength. I'm absolutely confident that, with Scuderia Caracchi Nortel Networks, I can achieve a great deal."