Byrne debut washed-out

Bad weather has delayed Shane Byrne’s debut factory Aprilia MotoGP test.

Both the Ducati and Aprilia factory GP teams are at the Jerez circuit in Spain for a three-day test. Intermittent rain meant that current British Superbike champion Byrne watched from the sidelines as experienced test rider Marcellino Lucchi tested development parts for the 2004 prototype on the current RS3 machine.

Ducati’s Troy Bayliss and Loris Capirossi were also at the circuit, and the pair began testing new engine parts and an updated chassis for the Desmosedici during a brief dry spell in the afternoon.

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