Rossi Impresses In Ducati Testing

Valentino Rossi
isn't officially a member of the Ducati factory team just yet, but
Yamaha gave the rider permission to test with the Ducati team this
past weekend at Valencia. And if the initial word out of the
Italian camp is any indication, Rossi is looking to be a great fit
for the team.
Per the terms of his agreement with Yamaha, Rossi can't speak about
his experience in the early testing with Ducati. But Filippo
Preziosi, director general for the Ducati team, told the Cycle News
that he was impressed with Rossi's early testing on the Ducati
Desmosedici.
"The most surprising things for me are the way he describes what's
happening to the bike, how calm he is," Preziosi said of the
nine-time world champion. "That's something I read, but when it
happens, it's really strange."
Preziosi compared Rossi to a computer in his ability to give
accurate feedback about the technical details of the bike's
performance. The Ducati team is currently testing three different
engines - two "big bangs" and a "screamer" - in order to determine
which to use once the 2011 season gets underway.
Rossi has always been as well known for his meticulous preparation
as for his skills on the track. It remains to be seen whether the
nine-time champion's switch to the Ducati team will allow him to
regain the success he's had in the past.