MotoGP News
Date: 8/February/2013
‘I’m back’ - that was the message
MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi delivered through an impressive performance on
his Yamaha return, at the first test session of 2013.
Rossi, adored by fans worldwide
for his colourful personality and record-breaking success, suffered a shock
fall from grace when he left Yamaha for home Italian manufacturer Ducati at the
end of 2010.
The Doctor didn’t win a single
race during two seasons for the ‘red team’, but has swallowed his pride and
returned to the multi-title winning YZR-M1 motorcycle alongside reigning
Champion Jorge Lorenzo.
Lorenzo and last year’s title
rival Dani Pedrosa remained at the top of the timesheets during this week’s
test at Sepang in Malaysia. However it was the two riders just behind them -
Rossi and rookie Marc Marquez, Pedrosa’s Honda team-mate - who stole the
limelight.
Rossi, 34 this month, claimed he
wasn’t sure he still had what it takes to be a top rider, but those doubts were
erased after just a few laps on the Yamaha.
“What I’ve understood from my
career is that the first feeling with a new bike is very important and I was
straight in the top three,” he said. “When I tried the Ducati, after three laps
I understood it would be very hard.
“So it was a great relief, because
after two bad seasons you have a lot of doubt. Am I still a top rider? Am I
still able to ride at the limit?”
A delighted Rossi went on to
finish the three-day test in third place, 0.442s behind Pedrosa and only 0.113s
from Lorenzo.
Rossi said: “I’m very happy. I
cannot expect a better start to this new adventure because the test was so
positive. I think we can fight for important results this year, because I am
fast and competitive.
“My lap time got better and better,
just like the top guys, and I’m only 0.4s behind. For sure I still have a lot
of work to do to stay with Lorenzo and Pedrosa, but at least we have the
potential to fight with them.”
But Lorenzo and Pedrosa were not
the only riders Rossi highlighted as a threat.
Spanish teenager Marquez had caught
Rossi’s eye while racing in Moto2, where he claimed the world title last
season. The all-action Marquez was a close third fastest on the opening two
days of testing, then fourth and a fraction behind Rossi on the final day.
Rossi said: “I said three or four
months ago that Marquez can fight for victory from the start of the season. I
like his attitude because it looks like he wants to win the MotoGP Championship
at his first try.
“Marquez is ‘scary’ because of all
the fast riders he has the most potential to improve even more.”
The second MotoGP pre-season test
will be held back at Sepang at the end of February.
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