Sete Gibernau makes MotoGP comeback

Sete Gibernau has completed the first day of his shock MotoGP comeback today at the start of a three-day test for Ducati in Mugello.

Riding for the first time since the end of 2006, the Spaniard joined test rider Vittoriano Guareschi as he rode Ducati’s new carbon fibre chassis GP9.

Gibernau, who won nine premier class races, completed 20 laps with a best time of 1.53.7 before his comeback was halted by rain.

“It has been a really exciting day,” said Gibernau.

“It’s like jumping back in time almost two years – as if the months that have gone by since the last time I was on track never even existed. Racing motorcycles was my whole life for so many years and now I’ve rediscovered that feeling I feel really good, like I’m home again.

The instinct for riding came back straight away, even though I obviously need to get back into the habit of going fast. I’ve realised how tiring it is to grab the brakes and move the bike around where I want it but I’m sure that’s just the rust from not riding for so long.”

Gibernau was positive about the radical new carbon fibre chassis on the GP9, which reigning world champion Casey Stoner tested for the first time last week in Barcelona.

The Aussie raved about the new bike and Gibernau said: “I managed twenty laps on the GP9 before it started to rain and the bike feeling was good.

“It is a Ducati in every way – precise but demanding, it requires a physical riding style and it instantly reminded me of the GP7 I tested at Motegi towards the end of 2006.

“As well as getting my confidence to ride back, today we did a little bit of work on the electronics, in particular the engine braking, because I prefer a different calibration to Vittoriano.

“I want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Ducati for this wonderful gift. For now I’m just going to enjoy the next two days of testing, hope it doesn’t rain, and then we’ll decide together whether there’ll be another opportunity to ride their bike.”