MotoGP Sepang Test: Valentino Rossi thrilled after test

Valentino Rossi believes he will be capable of mounting a much stronger threat to Casey Stoner in 2008 after he ended a three-day test today (Thursday) in Sepang brimming with confidence.

Rossi said he is delighted Yamaha has reacted to some of his fierce criticism at the end of 2007, where he even threatened to quit at the end of 2008 unless he got a more competitive and reliable bike.

Speaking exclusively to MCN at the back of the Fiat Yamaha garage tonight, Valentino Rossi said: “Yamaha has made a big reaction from last season.

“They worked on the electronics and we improved. They worked on the engine and we improved and we have a new chassis that works better so I am happy. I think we have the potential to win.”

Valentino Rossi was again untouchable at the top of the timesheets for most of the final day as he clocked a fastest time of 2:01.190 with a Bridgestone qualifying tyre early in the afternoon.

That was 0.8sec slower than his best overall test time set on a soft qualifying tyre yesterday (Wednesday), but it was a 21-lap race simulation in searing hot temperatures on the final afternoon that boosted Rossi’s confidence.

He described his race simulation as ‘beautiful’.

The Fiat Yamaha rider completed 14 laps in the 2.01 bracket, with a best of 2:01.437 coming on his 20th lap.

Valentino Rossi, who was out on track at the hottest part of the day by starting his race run at 1.25pm, was 0.9secs faster than his best lap time in last October’s Malaysian MotoGP.

His best qualifying tyre time in Sepang this week was a massive 2.1sec faster than he managed with Michelin at the end of last season.

The 28-year-old said he couldn’t recall the last time he left a winter test session with such optimism adding: “I am very happy because this test is very positive.

“We started very well and we improve the bike, fixing a vibration problem with the front tyre that was a big problem for me at the last test.

“We also improved a lot with the qualifying tyre so it was a long time since I’ve had a test this good.

“This has been one of the most positive tests I can remember because I am consistent and very fast with the race tyres.”

Valentino Rossi was delighted with his race simulation pace, particularly as he only managed two laps in the 2.01 bracket last month when he made his 2008 debut in Sepang.

“I am happy because I was very fast right to the end of the race simulation,” beamed Rossi, who said he was close to full fitness again after returning to the gym following his right hand injury suffered in a massive high-side at the season’s final race in Valencia last year.

“We work more logically like we used to and the situation after these three days is more clear for us. But we will have a lot of work to do because we have great and very strong rivals, especially Casey (Stoner).

“We have work to do but we have a good base. I have to improve with Bridgestone because I have to ride differently. 

“I made the simulation today and I understand a lot of things in the last part of the race, but it was beautiful.

“You have to change the line a little bit to use the tyre in another way but the tyre has great potential to the end and I was able to go in 2.01 a lot of times and also in the last few laps, so for me it was very beautiful.”

Struggling team-mate Jorge Lorenzo used a Michelin qualifying tyre to post the best lap of the final day with a 2.00.705.

The Spaniard clocked his best lap in the last 25 minutes of the session when track conditions were much more favourable and cooler.

Sepang MotoGP test day three results:

1. Jorge Lorenzo 2.00.705 (73 laps)
2. Valentino Rossi 2.01.190 (48 laps)
3. Shinya Nakano 2.01.135 (23 laps)
4. Alex de Angelis 2.02.194 (20 laps)