Ducati duo hopeful of more progress

The Italian bikes have been dominant through the speed traps all season, and Stoner has used the power of the bike to arrive in Mugello in the lead of the world championship.

However, both Stoner and Capirossi now feel that the team are improving the bike in other areas.

"For sure we can improve the bike," said Stoner. "We need to improve traction a bit, which we did this morning.

"We also need to improve the turning a bit because I don't have the sensitivity I've had at other tracks, but we pretty much know what we need to change."

Stoner was fourth fastest in the dry session in the morning, but he was quickest in the wet in the afternoon.

Capirossi was ninth in the morning and eighth in the afternoon, but he was happy with the new engine specification that he tried.

"I think the new stuff has potential," he said. "The power delivery is already smoother at lower revs and we can improve it a lot more.

"I really hope we get two dry sessions tomorrow so we can continue setting up the new spec. If not, we probably won't race with it on Sunday."