Davide Giugliano is in confident mood ahead of this weekend’s World Superbike season opener after another strong showing on Tuesday at Phillip Island. The Italian put in 33 laps despite feeling ill this morning and is pleased with the progress made since the Althea team switched from Ducati to Aprilia.
“Just one hour before the beginning of the last session, I was running a fever of almost 38° so I’m glad I participated to the tests and had reached a good time. We worked hard and well, and I think I’m ready for the first round of the World Superbike Championship. However, the uncertainty remains of the tyres that we can use during the weekend as we do not know which temperature there will be. Regarding the bike, I am satisfied with the level reached even if we still have some things we can improve. I’m not happy with my seventh place today because it is not a position suited to the value of our team, but we were oriented to work more on the bike than seeking the lap time.”
Team Owner Genesio Bevilacqua is expecting the leading pack to be closely matched this weekend and hopes Giugliano will be in the thick of the action.
“Considering Davide’s poor physical condition, weakened by fever, we can only be satisfied with how our tests went. Our goal was to understand how the tyres reacted and it was not easy due to the difference in temperature between yesterday and today. In these two days we have noticed that the gap between the riders of the first positions is very minimal, but we are very satisfied with our results. We have collected all the information that will allow us to start at the best the next weekend of races. We are ready and confident.”
