After a number on the experimental big bang Ducati Desmosedici GP11, the Doctor shifted to the Ducati Screamer, on which he completed the rest of the 56 laps.
The testing session was closely watched by race chief Jeremy Burgess, as Rossi, clad in a yellow and black suit, did 10 laps on the Cheste circuit on the black bike, after the machine was warmed-up by he official Ducati test rider Franco Battaini. The bike was free of any advertising as he is under contract with Yamaha until the end of the year.
“It has been an exciting day for sure. The main thing that hit me today was Vale's positive feedback and his capacity for analysis," stated Filippo Preziosi, General Director at Ducati Corse.
"He tested the GP11 with the big bang engine on a standard setting, which he modified step by step to adapt it to his riding style. His first comment when he lifted his visor up was a positive one about the power delivery and then he gave some impressive technical details," added Preziosi.
"At the end of the session he went out on the screamer version," he said "but we will make more of an analysis between the two engines tomorrow because they deliver the power in very different ways - the big bang has a more regular power curve whereas the screamer is more aggressive but also more powerful."
Rossi's teammate, American rider Nicky Hayden, also made several outings on both versions, starting on the 2011 'big bang' before switching to the 'screamer'.
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