Sepang test: Valentino Rossi happy with new electronics

Valentino Rossi declared himself happy with new electronics as he continued to clock crucial development miles on the new 2009 Yamaha YZR-M1 in Sepang today.

Rossi ended the second day third quickest with a best time of 2.01.626 in a 40-lap stint that saw him try new electronics designed to help with acceleration.

Still troubled by cuts to his left hand and left foot suffered when he fell through a plate glass table at home in Italy six days ago, the reigning world champion said: “Today we tested some new electronic solutions in order to allow me to open the throttle earlier and they were not bad at all, but we still need to work to improve it even more.  

“This afternoon the stitches hurt me a bit, but my pace was still very good so I am happy. At the end of the day I had some fun with Loris Capirossi; we did a couple of laps together and I think that he enjoyed it a lot, because he beat me! I had fun, a lot of fun; it was like the good old times!

“Today I did not do the long run; I will do it tomorrow if my physical condition allows it. I may have to do it in two parts, so that it won’t put too much stress on my stitches. It will be interesting to do the long run with the new tyres, but I am not expecting it to be so much slower than last year.”