The new NW200 Ducati team have been working all hours during the winter to ensure that they are fully prepared for the opening round of the British Superbuike championship at
Brands Hatch.
Running Ducati F08 1098R's for Michael Rutter, the team has been hampered with their pre-season testing as the machines were a little late to be delivered.
There was a further set back at the official BSB test at
Snetterton two weeks ago when extreme weather conditions halted proceedings.
However, following a brief testing session for Rutter at
Mallory Park the team have now found a good base setting and are very much looking forward to racing at Brands.
"I'm really looking forward to the new season," said Rutter. "I managed to get a few laps around Mallory last week and this has definitely helped but we still have work to do and we need to be out on track with similar Superbike riders to see how we compare and to gauge how competitive the new bikes are.
"I'm really pleased to be back on a Ducati and looking forward to running under the North West 200 banner. To be able to promote the event by racing in BSB is a tough job, but somebody's got to do it!"
John Laverty was originally due to compete in the National Superstock Championship on board Ducati's new flagship 1098R, but after lengthy consultation with the MCRCB, MSVR and sponsors it has been decided to switch Laverty to the Superbike Cup that runs alongside the main BSB championship.
"I've not been able to test much," explains the Irishman. "The decision as to which championship I would be competing in was up in the air until the last minute.
"Riding in the Superbike Cup is a prospect I'm looking forward to and a new challenge which I am certainly eager to tackle.
"My bike is a bit different to Michael's," Laverty explains. "Mainly on the electronics and data logging side but he's an experienced rider to learn from and has been in this game for years. I will be learning my way round at the start and getting used to the bike.
