Legendary Italian Valentino Rossi has credited his healing shoulder and an ever improving Ducati Desmosedici GP11 for his recent climb up the results ladder.
Rossi was fifth fastest during testing on Monday with a 1:37.3, improving his times from the race weekend and enjoying a smoother engine with greater electronics, refined chassis and new Bridgestone tyres.
“It was a positive test because the new updates were immediately better,” Rossi explained. “The bike was more sensitive to changes made to the front, which makes it easier to work on a setup that works better for me.
“I realised that as soon as I got on the bike and then, over the course of the following hours, we constantly progressed. We also had an engine with a slightly smoother power delivery that I liked a lot. We’ll start using it when the rotation plan allows it.
“I liked the tyres that Bridgestone had us try, they seemed very good. Of course the other riders also made great progress, and the less positive about today is the gap to the front on my best lap.
“Anyway, everything that the Ducati technicians brought worked, and that means that we’re on the right path. We have to continue working, but today’s test gives us confidence.”
The nine-time world champion completed 82 laps, showing positive signs than his shoulder is causing him less issues than at the start of the campaign.
“The shoulder is good now, but of course after the first 50 laps I was a bit tired,” Rossi concluded.