MotoGP news

Rossi positive about fight night test

The first ever night-time MotoGP test got underway at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar this evening, ahead of the opening race of the season and the inaugural night race in just over a week's time. The circuit is lit by 1000 floodlights at varying heights, making it as light as day and covering an area equivalent to 70 football pitches. Fiat Yamaha Team rider Valentino Rossi, who won the race here two years ago, was unfazed by the unusual conditions however and it was soon business as usual for the Italian, who finished the night's work in ninth place.

One of the main aims of the first night's testing for Rossi was to work with Bridgestone to find the best tyres to suit the conditions, which are of course considerably cooler than during the daytime tests and races of the past four years. He also worked on general set-up as the team try to maximise the final hours of pre-season track time as the clock ticks down towards the first race. Rossi completed 82 laps overall and posted a best lap of 1'56.749, whilst team-mate Jorge Lorenzo was second fastest with a lap of 1'56.019.

Commenting on his day of testing Rossi said: "There was a lot of curiosity about this night test and I have to say that I am quite satisfied. I think they have made a great job with the lights and you can ride quite normally, as if it's day. The visibility is quite good so there is no danger for us; it's really no more difficult than riding in the day. Maybe it would be better to move this night race to a period when the temperature is a little bit higher however, because at the moment it's very cold here!

"Today we have worked a lot on the bike set-up, but we were not so fast and we are still missing some grip in acceleration. We tested several different tyres and settings, but I am still sliding a bit when I open the throttle and the front is going a bit wide. We know that this track doesn't have the best grip, but other riders are going faster, so we must do better. We have a couple of ideas for tomorrow and I am sure we will be able to improve."

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