Rossi 13th in Jerez

Valentino Rossi found himself surprisingly off the pace on a rain-hit first day in Jerez today with the former world champion languishing down in 13th place.

The 27-year-old 1.9.31s slower than compatriot Marco Melandri who clocked the best time as track action didn’t commence until the early afternoon following heavy rain showers.

Rossi, who was fastest on race tyres in last November’s test at Jerez said: “Today ended up quite bad. The start was not so bad and I was quite fast in the wet, even though it wasn’t completely wet.

“In fact this afternoon the track was quite dangerous but we were able to confirm some things we have changed on the bike since November, though not so much. Some guys were faster and I had some problems with the bike today, but we need to see what happens when the conditions are better.”

Rossi’s team-mate Colin Edwards didn’t master the tricky conditions significantly better than the Italian, with the in-form American logging the 11th fastest time. Edwards has finished fastest on race tyres in his last two tests in Malaysia and Qatar