Toseland and Walker test at Phillip Island

Both the factory Ducati and Foggy Petronas teams have completed a traumatic three-day test session at Phillip Island, Australia with some good news.

James Toseland suffered a major crash on his factory Fila Ducati 999 on the second day of the test, high-siding exiting the Honda Curve. Despite requiring three stitches in his knee, he recovered well enough to go second fastest on the final day of the test, posting a 1:34.5. Better news came for Ducati team-mate Regis Laconi, who managed to lap faster on the new Pirelli control tyres than Neil Hodgon’s best 2003 lap.

The Foggy Petronas team faced difficulties after the first day saw them destroy five engines. But reliability improved and Chris Walker ended the three days with a best time of 1:35.7. His FP1 is now set up ” a bit more Walker-like a bit softer and looser so that I can back it into corners and slide it out of them.”

Find out more on how Toseland felt after his horror crash and how Laconi and Walker rated their testing, in MCN, out January 21. Discuss this story on the WSB discussion board by following the link on the right.