Rossi on Ducati GP12 at Mugello

2012 MotoGP Testing

The last time Valentino Rossi left Mugello, he was on a stretcher with a broken leg. But the Ducati pilot returned to the track on Thursday, this time leaving the MotoGP circuit with positivity.

This positivity after Valentino Rossi’s second outing on the Ducati GP12, the Italian completing 60 laps at the circuit (without incident).

The Ducati MotoGP GP12 test got underway with clear skies, allowing Rossi to pilot the new prototype with gusto on the Tuscan circuit’s new pavement.

The nine-time MotoGP Champion worked with Ducati Techincal Director Filippo Preziosi, testing newer updates on the bike since Valentino Rossi’s first GP12 test at Jerez earlier this month.

Rossi was the third and final rider to test the GP12 at Mugello; Ducati also tested the bike on Tuesday and Wednesday, but with test pilots Franco Battaini and Vittoriano Guareschi.

Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team MotoGP) says: “I’m pleased, because it was a positive test. We took full advantage of the time we had, because the track and weather conditions were perfect. I liked the new asphalt a lot. The surface is smooth, those holes that I knew so well are now gone, and the grip is fantastic.

“I must say they’ve done a great job, because if it’s possible, riding here at Mugello is now even better than before. I’m happy to have come back here to test after my injury last year, because it was a nice feeling and a good day.

“We started around 11 this morning, and we completed sixty laps in all-many kilometers without any problems, either physical or with the GP12. We tested everything that Filippo had planned to try, and we’re satisfied because, although we’re still at a pretty early stage, we’re going in the right direction.”

Filippo Preziosi (Ducati MotoGP Technical Director) says: “We completed our second day of testing the GP12 with Vale. I must say it’s a strange sensation, but also a really nice one, to be here at Mugello with Valentino, on a track where we’ve been rivals so many times in the past. We worked on the electronics and various other updates to next season’s bike, some of which were made following the requests that Vale and Nicky had given us during their first outing with the bike about a month ago at Jerez.

“It was a useful and positive test that will enable us to continue with the development of the GP12, which has some new details coming soon. Working with Valentino is always very nice from a technical perspective, and we were lucky with the weather, as we had perfect conditions. Vale also really appreciated the new asphalt: we have to compliment the folks at Mugello, because they really did a great job.”

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.