MotoGP Sepang II testing: Valentino Rossi unsatisfied about chassis setup of his bike – MotoGP news
Marlboro Ducati Team rider Valentino Rossi was left unsatisfied by the end of second MotoGP pre-season test at the Sepang International Circuit.
Rossi explained that he is lacking the confidence in the chassis and traction required to carry speed through the turns.
The Italian was rushed for a medical treatment as he felt sick by the day. Team officials spoke that Rossi was already sick at first day of Sepang II test. Due to poor health conditions, he was not able to conduct his practice session on second day.
First he was expected to return by the mid-day, but was forced to miss the entire second day. On third final day of Sepang II test, he was the first rider to appear on the track.
On the first day, Rossi managed to finish at ninth place with a lap time of 2 minutes 1.999 seconds. By missing the second day, on third day he concluded his practice at 11th place with a lap time of 2 minutes and 1.469 seconds. Meanwhile
his teammate Nicky Hayden was not able to pop in top-ten places finishing 12th by the end of all three days.
Rossi stated that as the performance required they cannot be satisfied with this test because they did not reach their goals. The Marlboro Ducati Team had a goal set to finish close to the top six and especially to reduce the time-gap from the leading
rider.
“Instead, we’re 1.8 seconds back, and our rhythm is also lacking. After the first day, we thought we could do it,” said The Doctor.
The Marlboro Ducati Team had started well and was able to run the bike with the hard tyres on, which is good. After that work, the team did not take steps forward to alter the settings further.
Ducati team has some better things sorted for the electronics which Rossi feels optimistic about to help solve the problems in an easy and significant way. However, the Italian was unconfident about the chassis setup. His team tried hard, but lacked
to gain the required traction and speed needed in the turns.
“I’m able to brake hard, but I’m still having trouble in mid-corner,” Rossi was definitely feeling the disadvantage of missing a day and rod two days instead of three.
Due to the less practice time availed the team had to rush at the end and try many things in order to understand the GP11’s response on the track. The Marlboro Ducati Team was prepared for that type of possibility, but it started to drizzle, which
made it nearly impossible to push further.
“There could be some good solutions for the future, but we weren’t able to confirm them. This circuit hasn’t traditionally been favorable to the Ducati. The next test is in Qatar, where the track is different, so we’ll see if we can go faster there,”
he said.
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