"However it is for this reason that the World Superbike Championship continues to be important for Ducati as it allows us to race and win with machines derived from our current production range against our direct competitors, as a result showcasing our technology. This year we will be taking part with a powerful new rider line-up and the F06 version of the Ducati 999. We warmly welcome Troy and Lorenzo into the team and believe that this combination of experience and youth will help us to continue our winning tradition in World Superbike" he concluded.

SUSPENSION MODIFICATIONS: The Ducati 999 machine that won two World Superbike titles in the hands of Neil Hodgson (2003) and James Toseland (2004) has undergone some minor suspension modifications over the winter months since winning six races last season. The F06 began its latest specification trail with two test sessions in November (Valencia) and December (Qatar) of last year, when the two new riders got their hands on the bike for the first time, and the testing programme continued at the start of February with two more days at Valencia before the machines were shipped out to Qatar for the opening round.

Ducati Corse Superbike technical director Ernesto Marinelli explains the changes: "The technical differences between the two versions can be summed up in the use of a new Öhlins hydraulic system applied to the new TTX20 front forks and the TTX36 rear shock absorber. The new hydraulics circuit improves compression and rebound behavior and helps to simplify maintenance operations and changes in the settings. The new shock absorber design uses smaller diameter springs, which helps save around 600 g in weight".

THE CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2006 championship sees the Ducati Xerox Team up against stiff opposition from all of the Italian manufacturer's traditional Japanese rivals, Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki together with Malaysia's Petronas on the 30-strong grid. Bayliss and Lanzi will face a star-studded field of competitive riders, including reigning champion Troy Corser (Suzuki), James Toseland (Honda), 2004 champion with Ducati, and the latest arrival from MotoGP, Brazil's Alex Barros (Honda). Two more riders coming from MotoGP include former Ducati factory star Ruben Xaus (Sterilgarda Ducati) and Roberto Rolfo (Ducati SC Caracchi)), while the other Ducati customer machines in the Italian manufacturer's eight-strong contingent on the official entry lists will be raced by Max Neukirchner, Ivan Clementi, Lucio Pedercini (Team Pedercini), and Marco Borciani, Xaus's team-mate.

THE CIRCUIT: Name: Losail International Circuit. Length: 5380 metres. Pole Position: left. Corners Left/Right: 10/6. Longest straight: 1068 metres.

STATISTICS: Best lap: Corser (Suzuki), 2m01.244s (2005). Lap record: Kagayama (Suzuki), 2m02.135 (2005). Superpole: Laconi (Ducati Xerox), 2m1.593s (2005).

TV COVERAGE: Eurosport 2 (Pan European): Friday 24 February - 1400 Superpole (live); Saturday 25 February - 1000 SBK race 1 (live), 1330 SBK race 2 (live). La7 (Italy): Saturday 25 February - 0945 SBK race 1 (live) + 1650 (delayed), 1725 SBK race 2 (delayed).