Rossi Wraps Up Misano Test

Cycle News Staff | August 29, 2012

Marlboro Ducati’s Valentino Rossi wrapped up his two-day test at Misano today, the Italian turning in some 80 laps while continuing to work with a new frame and swingarm – updates he’d first sampled during the post-MotoGP test at Mugello on July 15 – with the new components slated to be on the Desmosedici at the next round.

“We carried out a series of tests with the chassis, and the results were interesting, though they still have to be checked against the other riders,” Rossi said in a team release. “We also worked on the bike’s setup, with the goal of trying to limit the drop in performance that we usually suffer after some laps, as the tires wear. We had some promising signs there as well, and we’ll check them again in a race context.”

Rossi’s teammate Nicky Hayden, meanwhile, says that his recovery from the hand injury he suffered during qualifying for the Red Bull Indy Grand Prix is proceeding according to plan with a goal of returning to action at the San Marino Grand Prix.

“It was pretty tough to be home while my rivals were racing, and testing is also something that I hated missing, as we had some parts that we could possibly use this year,” Hayden said. “Everything else is good news, though. Bones don’t heal in 10 days, but the swelling is down in my hand and the feeling is much better with both that and my head. Everything’s right on schedule, and I’m really looking forward to getting back on the bike.”

“Over these two days with Valentino, we focused on chassis testing,” said Filippo Preziosi. “Based on the feedback he provided, we’ll bring a new frame and a new swingarm to the next race. In the meantime, the Corse department will continue working according to the development plan that was established following the June test at Aragon. Over the remainder of the season, the test team and the factory riders will have the opportunity to try further chassis evolutions, which are currently being produced.”