Valentino Rossi will use the 2012 YZR-M1 chassis at the opening MotoGP round at Qatar in two weeks' time after trying both during testing at Jerez.
The Doctor, who was edged out of top spot on the overall timesheets by Cal Crutchlow in the last hour today, says the new 2013 chasis has good and bad points, and will test it further during the season.
"I’m so happy because at the end of today’s session we had some quite good conditions to make some laps in the dry and especially because for us it was very important to try the new chassis," said Rossi.
"The feeling is generally ok; I was able to be competitive in difficult conditions and I also made good lap times with the used tyre. The new chassis has some good and bad points but I think I will start the season with the one I used yesterday and test this one again during the season."