New colours for D'Antin Ducati.

The D'Antin Ducati team rolled out their Desmosedicis in new colours at Brno today; the previous blue, white and orange (lower pic) being replace by a striking red and black display.

The team's previous livery was linked to a potential sponsorship deal, but with no progress made Luis d'Antin has decided to run riders Ruben Xaus and Neil Hodgson in the new, arguably more aesthetic, team colours.

"We had a different design up until now due to ongoing negotiations which we were finally unable to close for this season," said Luis. "So we just decided to return to the image of our team's colours, and I have to say it looks very good indeed."

Meanwhile, the two d'Antin riders would finish today's first qualifying session a promising ninth and tenth fastest on their year old machines.

"I couldn't believe it when I opened my eyes this morning, I thought it would be really hot like yesterday, but the conditions changed radically, but nonetheless it has been a fruitful day for us," said Xaus. "I rode here in 96 with the Supersport, but it felt like a different track today.

"We've practiced in the wet, we've tried some things, and I felt comfortable, although in the last fifteen minutes I went out onto track with cut-slick tyres on and the track was too wet for them to be of any help, so I lost positions," said the Spaniard. "Ninth is okay, but the best thing is that we have some good information to work with tomorrow as we look towards the race."

"Although I rode here in 1995, the track seemed completely different today, but I still liked it as I remember," added Hodgson. "Things went well today, I'm feeling good on the bike in the wet because we can be competitive in these conditions despite having less experience on this track than most of the other riders.

"Tomorrow we'll continue our work and I hope to keep going like today, because the weather forecast is similar and we could be competitive," concluded Neil.