Strong winds curtailed the final day of testing at Losail International Circuit, however, Ducati’s Pecco Bagnaia remained pleased with his progress across the previous four days.

The young Italian’s 1’53.444 lap, set on his 37th revolution, had dominated the times for much of the evening, before he eventually relinquished the top spot to a trio of Yamaha’s in the final minutes and concluded Thursday with the fourth fastest time.

In addition to his flying laps, the rider from Turin also performed a 15-lap long-run on used tyres with positive sensations before confirming his bike of choice for the start of the coming season.

“It has been the best day for us” said Bagnaia “because we are working very well and we decide the bike. With continued working, this is very great for us, for the work we’ve done.

“I try a time attack today, and it went quite well but I didn’t make the perfect lap, and when I see 53.4 I was happy, but more happy for the simulation, because I started with the used tyres from the time attack. So when I started a race simulation I was making very good time, very good laps, I was very happy. We’ve seen where we are losing time with more laps, so we know now, where to work with used tyres. and today has been very good day,

“At the moment I think my choice for the race is the bike where I did the simulation. So, we already decided. I put the new Aero package just for the race simulation, and I feel it very good, because it added me more with the balance of the bike and it is very great for, for us.

With no further action looking likely for the remainder of the test, a confident Bagnaia sits in fifth place overall, just two-tenths shy of teammate Jack Miller.

“We are working a lot in this four days” the Italian continued “and today I was very confident with everything, and the bike. I think that the track was a little bit less fast than yesterday, was a bit slower because the wind, I don’t know, but my pace was stronger than yesterday so I’m very happy about that.”

Ducati boss, Paolo Ciabatti looked to corroborate Bagnaia’s feeling about the Desmosedici’s areo fixings, confirming: “The final decision will be taken next week, but I think most probably yes. Both riders and also I think Zarco, had a chance to go out with a new aerodynamic package. It seems that gives them some extra confidence, so most probably yes.

“The final decision will be made I think next week but I think there’s a good chance we’re going to see it already in the first race in Qatar on the 28th of March, it’s been an excellent start.”