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SBK, Montella: "With Ducati V4 there is an exaggerated margin, I have to start trusting it"

"It's much more complete and difficult than a Supersport, and I was impressed with its power and everything you can work on to improve it. I wasn't super fast, but there's no rush. In Phillip Island I aim to fight for the Top 10."

SBK: Montella:

Yari Montella 's World Superbike adventure has begun in Jerez. The first test of the year marked the official debut of the rookie from Campania riding the Ducati V4R of the Barni Spark Racing team, with which he completed a total of more than a hundred laps on a dry and wet track. Changing conditions those offered by the Andalusian track during the two days of testing, which allowed Montella to begin his apprenticeship by discovering the behavior of his Ducati in different circumstances.

Yari, what was it like to be there among the World Superbike greats?
"Exciting, especially the first track entry. I expected something like this, but not to feel so many emotions, I have to be honest. Being among the big boys in the category is gratifying, also because of the work I've done to get here. I'm happy and satisfied with the work I'm doing. This was my first real test with this bike, because I had already tried it but on other tracks, in different conditions, and in a more 'goliardic' way. There is still everything to discover and to improve-there is really an exaggerated margin."

So, can we say that the balance is positive?
"In the end, yes, because in the first day I focused on lapping as much as possible, doing the miles and getting familiar with the vehicle. Nothing more. We made very few changes to the set-up of the bike. The second day was also crucial for me, because I was able to test the bike in the wet and continue to gain confidence and get to know it in different conditions. I was not very fast, but our intent was not to be fast. We were interested in getting to know the bike first, understanding it and then gradually getting there."

You also wrote on your helmet: 'work in progress'.
"Yes, that's exactly how we are approaching the whole process. We are not in a hurry right now because we are at testing. I prefer to be even 'slower' than expected now, to then get to be fast with more consistency and more confidence."

How different is the Ducati V4 from the V2 you used to race in Supersport?
"It changes a little bit. Also in terms of reference points: I had references from the last race and now everything is much faster than before, so you have to be much more on the ball. You can't afford to relax for a moment; you have to stay focused. Then, it also changes the work behind it, because you can make a lot more adjustments to the bike, although it's not easy to figure out what to ask of the engineers. We did a lot of testing so that I could understand what I really need. I'm happy with the approach I had with the team and the new technicians I met here in Jerez."

What impressed you most about the bike?
"Definitely the power and the fact that it is a much more complete and difficult bike than a Supersport bike. There are a lot more things to keep an eye on and what impressed me the most is just the work behind it, everything you can work on to improve the bike. We did just a tenth of what could really be done, so I'm looking forward to finding out the rest. In Supersport, for example, we didn't have electronics; it's a new world that I'm discovering now as I go along. It's a very interesting job with a very different approach than before."

Have you had a chance to talk to Petrucci these days? Did he give you any advice?
"There was no time. The first day I kept going in and out of the box and I really didn't get a chance to stop and chat with Danilo. I happened to catch him on the track, but when it happened I was still really slow. We'll see in Portimao, although I'll have my job to do and he'll have his, so I don't think we'll have a lot of time to sit around and talk."

Did you only run into your teammate on the track or any other riders as well?
"I only saw Danilo for a few laps and van der Mark, but I couldn't tell how the BMW looked to me because I have no idea what the bike looked like last year. All I know is that it was definitely stronger than me! (laughs, ed.). Otherwise, I always rode alone also by my own choice, because I didn't feel like polluting the work I was doing with the team by following someone."

What goal have you set for the upcoming tests?
"The approach in Portimano will be different, because here we have roughed it out a bit, while there we will try to push a bit harder and aim to be a bit faster, to see what level we are at. Now we don't really know, although the position on the first day certainly doesn't reflect the potential, because we know we have margin and also where to work. I am quite confident, and in Portimao it will definitely be better."

What are the areas where you need to improve the most?
"I need to start trusting the bike, getting to know it and consequently taking advantage of corner entry. That is the part where I still feel buttoned up. I still can't ride in a relaxed way, precisely because I still have to get to know the bike and learn how to trust it."

Where do you expect to be in the first race?
"It would be nice to fight for the Top 10 already. That would be a good result."

 

Translated by Julian Thomas

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