Having ended the recent group test in Sepang in the middle of the MotoGP field – from a lap time perspective – the Doctor insisted that it was rather adjusting his riding style to the new GP11 bike and getting comfortable in its saddle the aim of the test than scoring fastest times. And judging by the number of laps he did day in and day out, the Sepang running was a success.
“I'm very happy because before coming here, I expected to do 20, 30 laps per day, and as it turns out, I did around 40 each of the first two days and over 50,” said Rossi after the test in Sepang, according to Autosport.
“I'm really happy with my shoulder because it's improving day-by-day, and even after the stress of having ridden a MotoGP bike at the limit, I don't have any problems: now it's just a question of strength.”
In terms of lap times, Rossi admitted that the effect his broken shoulder has on the lap times is approximately half a second.
“My mobility has improved a lot, and I no longer think my physical limitations cost me a second; let's say I lose five or six tenths, especially on braking and in corner entry.”
Even with that extra time off, Rossi would still be trailing the Hondas and the Yamahas in Sepang, we might add. And the Italian realizes that, as he reckons he has to do more mileage in order to understand the behavior of his new Ducati bike and adjust his riding style to it.
“Today we're a second off the top riders, and also in the afternoon, riding with race tyres, the distance stayed around seven or eight tenths. I still have to do more kilometres in order to understand other aspects of the GP11 but, although I have to change my riding style a little, I now feel much more at home with the Ducati.”
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