MotoGP: Valentino Rossi over the moon over new Ducati at Sepang Test

Probably the most nervous rider and team at the 2012 MotoGP Sepang test would have to be Valentino Rossi and his Ducati crew.  After completely redesigning the GP11 from the ground up to the present form has been remarkable.  According to the Chief Ducati engineer  Filippo Preziosi has been pushing his team of engineers to build the best bike in the shortest amount of time.  He even claimed that no one was allowed to go on vacation until it is finished.

Valentino Rossi – Position 5 – Time 2’02.392

“We are already ‘half way’ compared with last year. The distance is 0.7s compared with Lorenzo, who did a very good lap I am so happy especially because we fixed a lot of problems that in all of the 2011 season we were not able to improve. Braking, corner entry, agility – the bike is a lot better. Ducati have done a great job in a short time.   It is just the first day, so we must work a lot. I think in acceleration the bike remains a bit too unstable [running wide]. I think the engine and electronics, a little bit of chassis, but we can do [it] I think. We can be competitive.”

Only one day on the bike and rumors have it that Rossi was patting the gas tank of the bike after the first run like a well behaved dog are all good indicators.  The 2012 Ducati Desmosedici GP12 has lived up to the hype so far.  It is hard to predict a season from one run on the bike.  But initial feedback and the smile on Rossi’s face should be clear indications that things are moving in the right direction.

“Now I can [load] the front tyre. I can use the front and the tyre works well,” he explained. “It is a big, big step compared to last year. Also with my position on the bike, last year I never felt confident. With this one I have enough room in the straight and a good position in the corner.

“Another very positive thing today is that when we worked on the bike we improved. That is a record for me! Last year never! Always the same or maybe worse. This time we work on the bike and every exit 0.1s-0.2s faster.  Last year on the third lap we would do a lap time – and after 50 laps the lap time was maybe a little worse!”

Day 2 of the Sepang test continues tomorrow with Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden continuing testing with the new GP12 Ducati.  Teammate Nicky Hayden is struggling with his injured shoulder but still proving valuable feedback.

Come on hurry up Race 1 we cannot wait.

2012 Sepang Test

Test Times
1. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Yamaha Factory Racing 2’01.657
2. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 2’02.003
3. Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Yamaha Tech3 2’02.221
4. Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha Factory Racing 2’02.234
5. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Ducati Team 2’02.392
6. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Yamaha Tech3 2’02.751
7. Hector Barbera (SPA) Pramac Racing Team 2’02.773
8. Katsuyuki Nakasuga (JPN) Yamaha Factory Racing 2’02.829
9. Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Honda Gresini 2’02.869
10. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Team 2’03.151
11. Stefan Bradl (GER) LCR Honda 2’03.668
12. Karel Abraham (CZE) Cardion AB Motoracing 2’03.781
13. Franco Battaini (ITA) Ducati Team 2’04.986
14. Casey Stoner (AUS) Repsol Honda Team 2’07.163
15. Colin Edwards (USA) NGM Mobile Forward Racing 2’08.240
16. Jordi Torres (SPA) Avintia Racing 2’10.671
17. Ivan Silva (SPA) Avintia Racing 2’11.267

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