Valentino Rossi tests new Ducati GP12

Valentino Rossi tests new Ducati Desmosedici GP12 at Jerez

Five days after the Gran Premio bwin de España, Rossi heads to Jerez for a private test with the new GP12

Valentino Rossi - Ducati GP12

Valentino Rossi completed six laps on board the new Ducati GP12 for the first time at Andalusian circuit in Jerez de la Frontera. After completing these laps, work continued on the Ducati throughout the day, at temperatures of around 29 degrees Fahrenheit and by the end of the day, Rossi had all together completed 50 laps.

“I’m happy,” Rossi said. “It’s a lot of fun, and you can do some nice slides. It’s the bike we’ll ride next year, so it was very important—and also very nice—to be among the first to take it on the track.” Filippo Preziosi feels it is essential and great to have the feedback from the riders, such as Rossi, so they can put this hard work and drivers opinion into the development for next years bike. “The positive thing is that the technical choices made for the GP12 in the initial planning phase, in 2010 were endorsed by Valentino.” He said. “This gives us great satisfaction, and we’re optimistic about the work that still remains to be done.”

All teams are working extremely hard on their 2012 bikes, and Rossi sounds extremely pleased with the performance and development of next seasons Ducati, as is the team. As for their rivals in their opinion – “We know that our competitors are also working hard and developing their 2012 bikes, but that just makes the challenge better.”

By Sophie Williamson