Rossi and Capirossi test at Misano

Valentino Rossi and Loris Capirossi have completed a brief test at the Misano circuit to alleviate track surface concerns before the return of MotoGP at the San Marino venue in September.

MCN can exclusively reveal the Italian duo rode street bikes in a special assessment of the circuit in between the Le Mans and Mugello GPs.

Seven-times world champion Rossi rode a Yamaha R1 while Capirossi is believed to have ridden a Ducati 1098.

They completed only a handful of laps after the issue of the Misano track surface was raised in a regular Safety Commission meeting in France last month.

Rossi and Capirossi, both members of the three-rider Safety Commission that also includes Kenny Roberts Junior, volunteered to ride in Misano amid concerns over the circuit’s bumpy surface.

The issue was raised after a recent World Superbike test session at Misano ahead of the WSB clash on June 17, 2007 which will be the first time a race will be run in reverse at the circuit.

Rossi and Capirossi were the first MotoGP riders to tackle the revised circuit.

They tested in the company of Franco Uncini – the rider’s safety representative in MotoGP.

MotoGP Race Director confirmed the test and told MCN: “They discussed with the Safety Commission in Le Mans the situation which was rumoured that it was extremely bumpy. Some of the World Superbike guys had tested there and the feedback was that it was very bumpy indeed. 

“Therefore Valentino and Loris volunteered to go and do a couple of laps on street bikes the following week in order to establish exactly what solutions were required and that’s what they did. They did a couple of laps and they came to an agreement with the promoter as to what remedies are necessary.”

Rossi and Capirossi didn’t demand a complete track re-surface before the GP, but three sections of the circuit will be re-paved, according to Butler.

“They prioritised three sections. I’m not sure how many metres in total but that will happen after the World Superbike race and adjustments in those areas will be made hopefully to satisfy everybody. I think they will have done one before the Superbike race but time pressure is an element in that, “said Butler.

The Misano GP marks a return for premier class racing at the San Marino track for the first time since 1993, when American legend Wayne Rainey’s career was ended