The Xerox Ducati team managed to fit in a quick test at Mugello ahead of this weekend’s Imola World Superbike showdown. Sharing the track with Ducati MotoGP team, Noriyuki Haga turned times within 0.5 seconds of the MotoGP machine.

Nitro Nori having just re-signed with the team for 2010 completed 69 laps on the factory 1198R for a best time of 1:52.3 seconds. This compares to 1:51.7 for official Ducati tester Vittoriano Guareschi on the Marlboro Ducati MotoGP bike and 1:51.9 for Mattia Pasini during his second test on the bike. Haga’s time was within 0.5 seconds of the far more potent MotoGP machines and 1 second faster than Max Biaggi on the Aprilia RSV4 who was testing at the same time.

Noriyuki Haga:- “It’s been a useful day. We will try to implement some of what we have tested here today at Imola on Friday and see how we go there. Now I need to turn my concentration to this weekend’s racing…”

link: World SBK



Earlier this year, 3 time World Superbike Champion, Troy Bayliss, tested the Ducati GP9 MotoGP racer at Mugello and recorded a fastest lap of 1:51.2.

The test result bodes well for Haga who needs to beat Ben Spies this weekend whotook the lead in the World Superbike title chase for the first time at the last round.