“Today was a better day” starts Valentino Rossi, who appears a lot more relaxed than the last time we saw him, or rather two days ago, at the end of the previous test session. This second outing, again at the Losail circuit, has got off to a more positive start for the nine-time champion, who places thirteenth with a best of 1’54.618.

In detail

The 42-year old has good sensations with his Yamaha M1 and explains: “I’ve improved my pace, my feeling with the bike and my lap times. I’ve worked hard with the team and am pleased with what we’ve done. We’re not at the top, but I’m closer. The leading two (Miller and Quartararo) completed an impressive time attack, Vinales too”. As for the day’s work: “I’ve tested new parts, some aerodynamic elements and we’ve continued to compare the two frames. Everyone was strong, I’m lacking a little something but it’s only day one”.

The frame has won him over

While his feedback wasn’t immediately positive during the previous sessions, the Italian has now changed his opinion: “The new frame is better than the previous one, it turns better. It doesn’t give me the same feeling as the 2019 version but it’s close”. Rossi also talks positively about top speed: “We’ve upped it. We’re still 10 km/h from the Ducati but we’ve improved. I’ve had fun and was strong. The problem is that everyone’s pushing like crazy and there’s still work to do, but it’s going a lot better”. Jack Miller topped the timesheets, the Doctor commenting: “This Ducati is insane, it’s very fast and I think Jack is one of the title contenders”.

MotoGP like F1

The bikes involve an increasing level of aerodynamics and it’s easy to draw a comparison with the four-wheeled championship, Valentino going as far as to admit: “MotoGP is the F1 of bikes. It’s great that the bikes are sophisticated, in their aerodynamics and electronics, because we have to be the best. The best bikes and the best riders. The level is very high”. And as for the spectacle, he has no doubts: “The important thing is that the races are still spectacular, this is the strength of MotoGP. Considering the lap times and level on track, we’re in for some great battles”.

Translated by Heather Watson

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