Rossi shocked at Capirossi slump

Former world champion Valentino Rossi has spoken of his surprise at the disappointing start fellow Italian Loris Capirossi has made to the 2007 MotoGP world championship.

The 33-year-old has endured a nightmare start to the new 800cc era having crashed out of the first race in Qatar, which was won by factory Ducati team-mate Casey Stoner.

And he had more misery in Jerez last weekend when he slumped to a disappointing 12th place on a track where he was victorious in 2006.

The factory Ducati rider is already a massive 41-points adrift of Rossi in the championship standings. He has admitted he is struggling to gain the levels of confidence he had with the Desmosedici 990cc machine he finished third on in last year’s world championship.

In contrast, Aussie team-mate Stoner has made a blistering start to the season and is tied with Dani Pedrosa in second.

Fiat Yamaha rider Rossi, who ended his barren spell with victory in Jerez, told MCN: “I expected Loris to be faster early in the season. I am very surprised and shocked, especially with the Ducati performing so well.

“I think Stoner rides very well in Qatar and also in Jerez but Capirossi is a very fast rider. The Ducati is a good bike so maybe he has some other type of problems.”