Rossi Closing the Gap but Long Way to Go
Valentino Rossi concluded the first day of the final MotoGP test at the Losail circuit in Qatar as fastest Ducati and three quarters of a second off the fastest of the HRC Hondas, this time in the hands of Dani Pedrosa. Rossi also survived his first Ducati crash without incident.
HRC once again led the charge with Casey Stoner behind Pedrosa and an impressive Hiroshi Aoyama in 3rd on the Gresini Honda. Ben Spies just pipped his World Champion teammate Jorge Lorenzo for 4th with Colin Edwards taking 6th.
Rossi was 8th fastest, his time of 1’57.038 set on his 57th and final lap of the circuit on the first day some 0.767 seconds behind Pedrosa. Earlier in the day Rossi christened his Ducati Desmosedici GP11 by sliding off at relatively low speed after he out-braked himself and crashed in the gravel trap. he was unhurt.
Rossi seems to be making some progress since his time is 0.25 second closer to the leaders at the end of the first day than he managed at the second Sepang test. Losail, the site of the opening round of the season next weekend is historically a good track for Ducati. Ducati have won all but the 2010 Qatar race with Rossi winning last years race after Stoner crashed out on the Ducati.
Valentino set his times on a bike starting off with Stoner’s 2010 settings and declined to test the flex chassis and 42mm Ohlins forks based on feedback from teammate Nicky Hayden. It remains to be seen whether Rossi’s team can continue to move forward on the second and final day of testing when the Hondas are likely to go even faster. Nicky Hayden finished 9th fastest just a tick behind his teammate and just ahead of Randy De Puniet on the Pramac Ducati.
Testing continues Monday before the opening round of the season at the same circuit. The race will be run on Saturday night, March 20th 9pm local Qatar time.
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Source: MotoGP.com
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I warned readers before the series began & I will warn them again; this bike is going to get somebody hurt or killed. The idiots who designed the frame ought to be lined up and shot….the trellis frame wasn’t so bad after all, was it? Are you guys still excited about a frameless superbike?
De Puniet is going pretty fast, I don’t see any indication of danger. The trellis frame will not do the job at this level and Ducati would be reluctant to copy the aluminum beam of it’s Japanese competitors
Mark, I think Ducati is looking for test riders to test the limites of their GP bike…you should apply. They keep running out of riders..I don’t know why? The thing is rock solid..it’s like riding on rails.
Shut your hole gjracer dork!! Explain why Stoner can rape people on the Desmosedici and win many races???? All you people make excuses rather than adapting. I will laugh my arse off while SToner takes the championship this year on another manufactuer.
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