Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi believes the front-end problems that dogged his 2013 MotoGP season have now been fixed after Yamaha worked over winter to give him more feel from the factory YZR-M1.
The Doctor was second quickest in today's opening session at Sepang, half a second slower than reigning champion Marc Marquez, and the Rossi says a better engine braking strategy and smoother downshift with the seamless gearbox appear to have fied the problems.
"Is a positive first day. I am so happy because I am second position but especially because the level of the laptime is already good, is 2'00.8 is very good for the first day and I am happy because I had already tried the 2014 bike in Valencia but Yamaha work a lot for help me in braking and for bring some solutions that help me stop the bike, my main problem last year," said Rossi, speaking at Sepang.
"We have tried to improve the engine brake, the gearbox when I shift down and also some more on the front part of the bike to have a better grip. Small things but I feel better. The problem in braking was my main problem last year, for sure, we can improve more but looks like we are in the good way. Being on the M1 for a second year is good, I can have more experience, more kilometre and we have to work to be stronger than last year.
The atmosphere in the team is good, I am happy about the work of Silvano, and I have a good mood. It's just the first day but I was strong, also good in the pace and good on the time attack, but if I want to be more competitive and fight with the top three we have to improve tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, we need to have a way to work that bring me more feeling every day and for give the maximum."
Rossi is working with new crew chief Silvano Galbusera for the second time and says that even though it is early days, he likes the way the Italian works.
"He is a bit different but I need this change. I wasn't very worried about the technical presentation of Galbusera. I worked with him on the Superbike and what they do with the Superbike if you take out all the electronic system is very similar. It is a good start."
