Nine-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi has confirmed ahead of Aragon’s round of the 2011 series that he’ll switch to an alluminium chassis and that he’ll race at Motegi in Japan next month.

A test at Mugello last week on Ducati’s evolving 2012 machine has given Rossi an insight into what can be expected next season and he discussed some of the aspects of the developing machine.

“We tried something different in the bike to improve the front feeling and turning, I was a bit faster than the last time but especially the feeling is quite good,” said Rossi. “So we are looking forward.”

Asked about the possibility of an aluminium frame being introduced next season, as speculated upon, Rossi clarified, “It’s not a frame. The philosophy of Ducati remains the same,” he said. “The front part of the bike is a bit different and is aluminium and not carbon fibre like it was before, it’s a question of time with regards to the material.

“We have to work, to try to understand, and with aluminium we need a lot less time than the carbon. It’s just the first step, we’ll keep working and we’ll try to come back and fight for the front positions.”

Rossi also confirmed his presence at next month’s Grand Prix of Japan after delaying a decision on whether he would go.

“I will go to Japan for the race,” Rossi said. “All the tests are negative, it looks quite safe so yes, I will go to race at Motegi,” he concluded.