Valentino Rossi’s Ducati Desmosedici GP11The Ducati Desmosedici GP11 that Rossi will compete on during the 2011 MotoGP Championship features individualized fairings. Ducati red but a differing colour mix, it also features some of the iconic yellow Rossi is known for on the tailpiece.
The spectacular scenery of the Trento Dolomites served as the background for the first official photos of the Desmosedici GP11 in its new livery, including both Rossi and new teammate Nicky Hayden's bikes. Ducati Corse General Director, Filippo Preziosi: "The principal characteristics are the evolution of the motor and of the throttle body thought to obtain, fundamentally, a flatter and more useable power curve. As for the chassis, the aerodynamics are completely new, with the goal of improving top speed, reducing consumption, and also reducing front lift as much as possible. "Other aspects we're working on for the Malaysia tests in February are the new frame, which has already undergone various tests of rigidity and flex - for torsion and under braking - a swingarm with different rigidity characteristics, and a fork that combines the 2011 hydraulics with the 42mm tubes, instead of 48. "As for the electronics, we're working on wheelie control and traction control. These are all solutions that we'll try out next week at Jerez with three days of testing and two development teams - one for Franco Battaini and one for Vittoriano Guareschi - and that Valentino and Nicky will then try in Malaysia. "We know that Valentino isn't at 100 percent and Sepang is a very ‘physical' track, so we'll try to optimise his sessions and to use his time on the track in a ‘surgical' way in order to have his feedback. "Many tests will also be entrusted to Nicky Hayden, who will be able to ride normally. We're working hard, but the atmosphere at Ducati is really nice, very electric and positive, and we can't wait to get back on the track.”
"I hoped to feel a bit better, there is a lot of work to do but it's a great challenge to get in shape for the February tests," he said. "I won't be in great form in Malaysia, I hope I'll be okay on the bike. It will be a race against time, the situation with the shoulder is more serious than we expected. "I will come back 100 percent but it needs more time." See the 'reveal' for yourself. |
On Tuesday at Wrooom, Rossi admitted he faces a race against time to be fully fit for testing ahead of the MotoGP of the season in Malaysia next month. He said said rehabilitation had been slower than expected but that he hoped to make the grid for the curtain-raiser in Qatar on March 20.