Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi tried a new chassis, Michelin’s new front tyre and setup options in yesterday’s MotoGP test at Jerez but came away with very little in the way of answers as he ended the day 1.8s off the pace of team-mate Maverick Vinales.

Rossi had hoped the stiffer-carcass front would solve the corner-entry problems he has suffered all season but concluded that although he preferred it, the difference wasn’t marked and a new M1 chassis also didn’t make a leap forward.

“I think that we tried something different in the setting, but unfortunately it didn’t work in the race. Today we with more the normal setting. Unfortunately the new stuff, also the new chassis doesn’t work better. But in this test we tried some different things and I think that we understand something important to try to fix the corner entry for the future,” said Rossi, speaking at the track.

“For me, in general, this weekend was difficult because our bike don’t have a good marriage with the tyres. This is the biggest problem. Also today, we understand something, but in the end, the feeling remain similar. We hope for Le Mans that the bike is more friendly with the tyres.”