Ducati test new FTR aluminium frame for Desmosedici during Mugello testing – MotoGP news
MotoGP team, Ducati have tested the new FTR aluminium frame during the Mugello testing sessions.
The new frame was developed by a British chassis company FTR which was working on the project along Ducati for a considerable amount of time.
Earlier in the season, there were rumours that Ducati has called in a chassis-designing company from the United Kingdom, FTR to develop an aluminium frame. The collaboration was done due to Ducati’s lack of experience in building such frames.
Rossi said, “We have some new things to try to improve the front grip and the turning, but this is work for 2012.”
The Italian rider was in Mugello to conduct the testing on the sixth day of the eight-day session.
Previously at the Brno post race test where Honda and Yamaha tested their respective 1000cc machines, Ducati only tested their 800cc machines.
The Italian manufacturer was in search of the next step ahead in the development but lacked the direction. Even after the shift of Nicky Hayden since the Brno post race test, the team was not able to make significant changes.
However, the Italian MotoGP star, Valentino Rossi did make his experience work. Rossi claimed that by replacing the carbon fibre chassis with an aluminium frame will help a lot in the progress.
Even after the gradual decrease in the performance of factory riders, Ducati MotoGP project’s technical boss, Filippo Preziosi was not willing to change the chassis type. Factory riders Rossi and Nicky Hayden worked hard to get some better results out of
the present GP11.1.
In fact, the problem started from the pre-season testing when Rossi rode the Desmosedici for the first time. The Italian rider said that the bike had the problem of understeering and due to that, he lost crucial time in the bends. Along with Rossi, teammate
Nicky Hayden also complained of the same problem.
Since then, the riders have been searching for a better setup with present components. So far, both factory riders have only achieved one podium each in the 2011 season.
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