Rossi optimistic after first test

Valentino Rossi has finished the first test of 2014 pleased with his pace after ending up second in the timesheets, but the Italian says that there are still problems to fix on his Yamaha.

“Today is positive because I did 2.00.4 and I improve from yesterday by close to 0.5s. I stay 0.5s from Marquez and he is very strong and the guy that made the difference because the next few are very close on the lap time and also the pace. We tried to work also with the new tyres and I expect that they are better but in reality we have some problems that we have to fix with our bike. We also did a lot of tests for the fuel consumption because the engine becomes a bit more nervous and the connection when you are on the edge is a bit more rough, so we have to make the right balance.”

With fuel allowance dropping by a litre to just 20l for every MotoGP, fuel management will be crucial for Rossi, in 2014, especially as he has struggled in the past thanks to his size compared to rivals like Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez.

“We worked a lot on fuel consumption and the bike has become a bit more difficult to ride and a bit more nervous, but for my riding style it is not a big problem. The fuel consumption is already positive and it is just the first test, so I hope that we can improve more.”

However, the nine times world champion believes that he can be stronger this season than last, as he continues to adapt to the M1.

“I have tried to modify my style a little bit so I am not stressing too much the tyres on the edge, and try to stay more out off the bike and study the way to improve. With one year more experience of the M1 I can work on these details because before I wasn’t at the limit of the bike and I have to concentrate on something else. Now I feel good.”