Colin Edwards: Rossi not holding back

Colin Edwards dismissed suggestions that Valentino Rossi is deliberately avoiding showing his true potential ahead of his competitive Ducati debut in Qatar next month.

American Edwards mocked gossip that Rossi has plenty in reserve before his much-hyped Ducati debut in Doha on March 20.

Edwards is one of Rossi’s most trusted paddock allies having been his team-mate in Yamaha’s factory squad between 2005 and ’07.

So is Rossi sandbagging? “Hell no is he sandbagging. I’m not buying that at all,“ insisted Edwards to MCN. “I will bet my first born’s life that he’s not. Valentino is the kind of guy that likes to lead the tests and be out front.

“He’s not going to mature that much over the last four months and say I’m cool with 11th. No way, I know the guy and I know how he thinks. Is he being cautious and not wanting to crash on his shoulder? Absolutely. But he’s not farting around either.”