Returning Yamaha MotoGP star Valentino Rossi finished fourth on the Sepang test day one timesheets and declared himself happy as he was inside his 2012 qualifying time at the Malaysian circuit.
The Doctor ended four-tenths slower than quickest man Dani Pedrosa on a 2'01.783 but was on the pace as soon as the pitlane opened in the morning.
“I’m very happy about the first day of testing with the M1. After two seasons away I was able to come back on the bike and remember the good feeling I always had with it. I am also happy because I was quite fast from the morning," said the Italian.
"We worked on the settings to make some improvements and we made some good steps. In the afternoon we started to work on the new parts for the season. It’s just the first test but the potential is high and I am in a good position, I am in fourth place but not far from the other three guys. I am very positive that we can improve over the next few days but I’m happy with the start.”