Valentino Rossi likely to race new chassis in Misano

Valentino Rossi is likely to race a new chassis when the MotoGP world championship resumes at his home race in Misano next month.

The Italian spent a two-day test at the Misano track this week evaluating a new chassis and swingarm, which is the biggest single update on the Desmosedici since winter testing back in February and March.

Rossi and crew chief Jerry Burgess have both been critical at the lack of development and new parts coming out of the Bologna factory in a difficult 2012 for the nine-times world champion.

Not convinced that Ducati can quickly improve the Demosedici for next season, Rossi will leave at the end of the season and return to Yamaha on a two-year deal.

The Italian though is likely to see out the final six races of his disastrous Ducati career on a new frame after this week’s Misano test.

The new frame and swingarm he tested in Misano will be available for the rest of the campaign and he said: “We carried out a series of tests with the chassis, and the results were interesting, though they still have to be checked against the other riders. We also worked on the bike’s setup, with the goal of trying to limit the drop in performance that we usually suffer after some laps, as the tyres wear. We had some promising signs there as well, and we’ll check them again in a race context.”

Ducati’s technical boss Filippo Preziosi added: “Over these two days with Valentino, we focused on chassis testing. Based on the feedback he provided, we’ll bring a new frame and a new swingarm to the next race. In the meantime, the Corse department will continue working according to the development plan that was established following the June test at Aragon. Over the remainder of the season, the test team and the factory riders will have the opportunity to try further chassis evolutions, which are currently being produced.”