Valentino Rossi quickest in Jerez Test Day 2 

The 7 time MotoGP Champion returned to the top of the timesheets back with his Yamaha for the first time in 2013.

Rossi returned to Yamaha after a difficult two years with Ducati and started to show good pace in all the previous tests but didnt quite touch the top. The Doctor as he is fondly called came to Jerez for the final pre–season test of 2013 before the season starts with a new set–up on his Yamaha suitable for his riding style. Day 1 in Jerez was quite wet and much pace was not set but on Day 2 as the track dried and weather improved, Rossi took his Yamaha M1 to the limit to clock 1:39.525 as the fastest time of the session with only Yamaha riders Lorenzo and Crutchlow close enough on a 1:39.540 and 1:39.574 respectively.

Factory Honda rider Dani Pedrosa clocked in a 4th fastest time while Andrea Dovizioso came in fifth fastest on a new spec Factory Ducati. Alvaro Bautista on the Satellite Honda came in 6th fastest ahead Marc Marquez who topped the Austin test couple of weeks ago. Bradl, Iannone and Hayden completed the top 10 fastest of the day. Alvaro Bautista crashed later in the session incurring knee and finger injury and is ruled out of the test tomorrow.

After the session an ecstatic Rossi commented :“Today´s test session was very positive for us. I’m so happy, especially because we used a different style of setting. It is very important for us to understand this setting, which can help and effect my riding style to ride the bike in a better way and stay more constant, especially with good lap times on old tyres.

To make the first position with a time of 39.5 is good and also being as fast as Jorge. Me and my team are very happy with the pace and I think we will try to continue to work on this way.”