Capirossi to run modified GP7 in Italy

The Italian has struggled so far this season to match the pace of teammate and world championship leader Casey Stoner, and the team are hoping that modifications to the set-up and the performance of the bike will help him this time out.

Filippo Preziosi, Ducati's director, said: "Mugello seems to suit our bike, and it is also one of Loris' favourite tracks, where he has always been very competitive.

"So, having listened to his feedback and analysed his data, we have prepared a new package to help him fight for the kind of results he's accustomed to achieving.

"These changes aim to modify the GP7's power delivery to offer rideability that's better suited to Lori's riding style.

"The changes include electronics - revised engine mapping and ride-by-wire set-up - and mechanics - revised cam timing and fluid-dynamics. The same package will also be available for Casey if he wants to try it."

Capirossi fought for the lead at last year's Mugello race, and hopes that the improvements to the machine will make him more comfortable with its characteristics.

"Mugello is my home race and Ducati's home race, so it's a really big weekend for all of us," he said. "The circuit character should suit our bike well, even if my feeling with the machine isn't 100 per cent at the moment.

"Ducati are working closely with me to refine the bike to suit my style because I am eager to get back on the pace and race up front again.

"Above all I'm convinced that we do have the potential to come back strong, we just need to stay focused and do our best at this race and at the following races."