A warm welcome was also reserved for the Spanish rider, who immediately felt at ease amidst the passionate climate of his new family, which believes a lot in his potential and talent. Despite the fact that he is not in the spotlights, long-serving test-rider Vittoriano Guareschi was also greeted with affection and esteem by Ducati employees, who are perfectly aware of the vital importance of his work.

After meeting up with Ducati employees, the Borgo Panigale 'Big 5' were guests of honour in the evening at 'Rosso di Sera', the annual party organised by the Ducati Owners Club of Bologna in one of the city's most popular nightclubs. Together with the 1600 people who had come to the discotheque to see them, Loris, Sete, Troy, Lorenzo and Vito welcomed in the 2006 season.

All four have accepted a tough but not impossible challenge and are ready to give their utmost so as not to disappoint the expectations of their fans, obtain good results and to give them the emotions and thrills that only the Borgo Panigale manufacturer is able to offer.

From tomorrow onwards Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau will be taking part in the final winter test session outside of Europe, at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia from Tuesday 14th to Thursday 16th February. Ducati Corse's World Superbike riders have already concluded their winter testing programme and will get their first taste of championship action soon as they head to Qatar next week for the opening round of the championship at the Losail desert circuit on Saturday 25th February.