Cycle News Staff | June 15, 2011
Marlboro Ducati’s Valentino Rossi came away happy from today’s test of the new GP12, the 1000cc Ducati he will ride in next year’s MotoGP World Championship. Rossi put in some 80 laps on the bike on a sunny day at the Mugello circuit in Italy.Rossi had an updated chassis to try since the last time he rode the bike at Jerez in Spain.
“It was another positive test,” Rossi said in a team release. “We had a number of things to try, including a new step with the frame that I liked. The general feeling was good. I was already happy with the engine the first time I tried it, and now we’re also making progress with the rest of the bike. Naturally, we’ll have to see when the others try their 2012 bikes, but as far as we’re concerned, for the moment we’re satisfied. Our bike is already good. Riding at Mugello is always a pleasure. On top of everything else, the conditions today were perfect, so in addition to the good work we carried out-because I did 80 laps-I enjoyed my time riding. Compliments to the circuit for the new additions; the main grandstand is really nice, and of course I hope to see Mugello filled with fans for the race.””For this test we brought an updated frame for Valentino to try,” said Filippo Preziosi, Ducati’s General Director, “along with several other interesting things, and I’m pleased to report that we received positive feedback. The lap times were better than at the last test, which is additional confirmation that we’re working in the right direction. A big thank you to Valentino and Nicky [Hayden], to all the guys on the team, and Ducati, where they’re extremely committed and are working really hard.”
