Rossi tops Yamaha test

Valentino Rossi finished the three-day Yamaha Phillip Island MotoGP test with the fastest time.

The first two days of the test were drenched with rain and although it did clear for the final session the wet weather had washed all grip from the track and the times didn’t improve much.

“Today the weather was better but the track conditions were still not very good.” Said Rossi. “The track has been so affected by all the rain before on the previous days that it was still quite difficult and this is why we didn’t improve the lap times much. We were able to do some good work however, and continue working on the bike settings and testing tyres for Michelin, so it was a worthwhile day. Now I’m really looking forward to moving on to Barcelona with everyone else and continuing to develop the new bike as we move closer to the first race.”

Team-mate Colin Edwards took the second fastest time followed by Fortuna Yamaha riders Toni Elais and Ruben Xaus.

All of the riders will now head back to Europe for two official IRTA Tests in Barcelona from 18th to 20th March and Jerez from 25th to 27th March.

Unofficial times:

Valentino Rossi 1:30.44

Colin Edwards 1:30.50

Toni Elias 1:31.85

Ruben Xaus 1:32.61