Ducati Motologic Racing has declared its first test of the 2010 season as a success, the team debuting with Ducati’s 1198R machinery as new recruit Jamie Stauffer set the fastest lap of the test.

The two-day test saw Stauffer set the unofficial fastest lap of 1:35.1 over the two days, that time coming despite the team still awaiting the arrival of Ducati Performance parts and Ohlins suspension components.

“The test with Jamie went extremely well – we went to the test with no idea of the real capabilities of the bike and were very pleasantly surprised,” explained team owner Paul Free.

“We are very much looking forward to the arrival of the Ducati performance parts which will raise the overall performance of the motorcycle. “In line with this, we are also awaiting the arrival of some race-spec Ohlins suspension parts. From there we just need to build a better understanding of this package as a whole and just get it all working in harmony.”

Stauffer, an ex-double Superbike and Supersport champion, was pleased with the debut and looks forward to test number two this month.

“It was a terrific couple of days and any questions I had about the difference in riding a V-twin compared to a four-cylinder were answered immediately as I adapted to the Ducati 1198R,” Stauffer said. “There were really just a limited number of changes made to the bike, which everyone commented on after they saw the lap times that we were producing.

“I feel very positive about the next test as we will be able to modify the set-up a lot more by that stage and I will have a better feel for the new control tyre from Dunlop. The new team came together really well and very quickly with everyone communicating well and getting the job done. It will be a really exciting year.”

The first round of the 2010 Australian Superbike Championship will be contested at Phillip Island during the World Superbike season opener on 26-28 February.

Click here to read our Moto Talk interview with Jamie Stauffer directly posted following the test on Monday.