Shakey to miss Valencia test

Shane Byrne will miss this weeks two day test at Valencia because his new 2010 specification Altea Ducati’s won’t be ready in time.

Shakey was expecting to get his first ride on his new bike, which is in fact his 2008 BSB title winning bike upgraded to 2010 WSB spec by the Ducati Corse factory.

Speaking to MCN he said:

“We’re not doing the Valencia test. We planned to but the new bikes won’t be ready in time.

“There is no point doing the test on old bikes because we won’t learn anything. Now our aim is to be completely ready for the official test at Portimao in January.

“In a way that works well because the last time I rode there I was racing at the front so hopefully I can pick up from there when I get on the new bike.”

For 2010 Shakey will get fly by wire electronics as used by the factory team of Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio in 2009.

He is also set to benefit from higher specification Ohlins suspension.

“I’m really pleased with the deal that I’ve got. Everything that was promised to me in 2009 is actually written in my contract for next year.

“The team are doing absolutely everything he can to make the team as competitive as possible and I can’t ask for more than that.”