During the last test of the off-season, Rossi and title rival Casey Stoner shared the leading spot during the 2 days of action at the Losail International Circuit, which should preview an edgy race under artificial lights on Sunday.
“We have improved our bike and we tried to work on the engine for the new rules. The feeling is positive. We tried to modify something in the way the chassis works for better grip and the bike worked very well in Sepang and Qatar. (...) Here in Qatar last year we had some problems and I think this time it's possible to do a bit better,” said Rossi at the press conference before the race.
Last year's race was affected by rain and the organizers decided to postpone the action for Monday night. The victory went to Ducati's Casey Stoner, who recorded his 3rd win in a row on the Losail track. The Aussie is yet to be challenged in Qatar under artificial lights, while Valentino Rossi is yet to win a race since his last success in 2006.
Additionally, Rossi also approached the contract-extension topic – as the journalists were obviously interested in the Italian's future destination – hinting that it will take at least until the midseason for him to figure out his next move in the series.
“I don't know. In 2008 I signed around June so I hope more or less the same this year. We have time to decide,” said Rossi, who was intensively linked with a move to Ducati in recent months.
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