British MotoGP: Valentino Rossi satisfied with third

Valentino Rossi’s hopes of bowing out at Donington Park in style got off to a good start today, the reigning MotoGP world champion claiming third place in a rain-hit opening practice session.

As a dry line appeared towards the end of the session following torrential rain earlier, Rossi logged a best time of 1.38.917 to finish just 0.045s off second placed Casey Stoner and just under three tenths of Dani Pedrosa’s best.

Rossi, who will start Sunday’s race looking to extend his 14-point lead over title rival and Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, said: “These strange conditions are always hard to ride in but it was important that we had some time in the wet today because we were able to understand our level.

“We’re quite happy because I felt confident and I was able to be fast today.

“The conditions changed a lot during the hour and by the end it was mostly dry, which meant it was quite hard to ride with the wet tyres but we were still quite fast and in the end we’re third, which is a good start.

“We’ve got a few modifications to make as usual after a Friday but we have a good base. Tomorrow it seems it will be completely dry so hopefully by the end of the day we will be ready for Sunday, whatever the weather.”

Rossi said he was also pleased that 2009 developments to his factory YZR-M1 machine had proved a major improvement compared to last season, when Stoner easily beat him.

He added: “We have improved some parts where I was not so fast last year. We have improved more in the last part where last year Stoner with the Ducati was a lot faster than me.

“It is a sign that Yamaha has improved a lot and we have good acceleration and it is better for wheelies.”

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