Rossi Tests Ducati 1198 Superbike
Rossi Tests Ducati 1198 Superbike
The purpose of the test was to evaluate the condition of Rossis right shoulder which underwent surgery in November. The shoulder is not fully healed but with the official MotoGP test at Malaysia Sepang circuit just days away, Ducati needed to know Rossis condition.
The track more or less confirmed what we expected: the shoulder is painful especially under braking, when the front area hurts, where they stitched the tendon, says Rossi. Movement is stable enough, and were also doing not so bad with endurance, but apart from that, it hurts a lot and isnt very strong. Lets hope it gets a little better in these next few days before the test in Malaysia.
Because of the strict rules governing MotoGP testing, Rossi rode the Ducati 1198 Superbike instead of the Desmosedici GP11 race bike. Still, the test marks Rossis debut on a Ducati bike in full red Corse livery and leathers (Rossi did ride the Desmosedici at the Valencia test but neither he nor the bike wore red because he was still under contract with Yamaha). Ironically, the World Superbike Championship was holding its own test at the same time at Portugals Portimao circuit without a factory Ducati Superbike.
Rossi completed 25 laps on the 1198 Superbike and despite not being 100%, says he intends to attend the Sepang test.
Once were there, well work with the riding position in an effort to make the most of the situation and collect important information with the Desmosedici, even though Im not in top form, says Rossi. Today I did a total of 25 laps on the 1198 Superbike, which is sort of a historic motorcycle for Ducati: beautiful and fast. I liked it!
For more pictures, visit our Valentino Rossi Ducati 1198 test gallery.
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