Weather limits Rossi’s progress in Oz

Damp conditions have limited world champion Valentino Rossi’s test progress at Phillip Island, Australia.

He was only able to get in 14 laps on a drying track in an afternoon bright spell. But he did at least get the chance to break in the new uprated engine he had asked for from his new factory, Yamaha.

Day one of the test, on Tuesday March 9, saw him clock a best of 1.32.10s. He set a best of 1.30.09 at the circuit in qualifying for last season’s MotoGP.

Rossi was by far the fastest of the Yamaha riders gathered with Carlos Checa recording an unofficial best of 1:34.30s, Marco Melandri 1:34.34 and Norick Abe at 1:35.

The test continues on Wednesday.

Click here to compare Rossi’s times with the last tests at Phillip Island.