Pramac Ducati's new signing Nico Canepa made his night-racing debut at the rain-hit MotoGP test session at Qatar today and, despite the slippery conditions, said it was beautiful.

Canepa, who was drafted into the squad to partner Mika Kallio after a couple of years as Ducati's World Superbike test rider, was fifth fastest, less than a second off full factory rider Nicky Hayden.

“This was the first time for me on this track under this impressive floodlights system. It was beautiful, a pity that the rain has limited our work," said Canepa.

"I am anyway satisfied thanks to the good lap time registered. I need to ride for as many laps as possible and I hope that in the next two days we will find optimal weather condition. It has been a good start for me, surely better compare to the last test in Malaysia.”