One of Valentino Rossi’s aims in the second official Sepang test was to close the four tenths of second gap that separates him from the top of the timesheets, but between a technical issue on his 2013 M1 that forced him to use the 2012 machine, while his mechanics searched for the electrical problem and the rain, the Italian completed only 25 laps and was the fifth fastest of day 1.
“Unfortunately we had less than half a day.
We started at ten o’clock and had something to do, but then we had a small problem with the engine on the new chassis we’re working on.
So we had to stop that bike and continue with my old bike but I’m quite happy because my pace wasn’t too bad, even on the 2012 bike.
But because of the rain the afternoon was useless, so it’s a pity because it’s boring and we can’t do anything,” stated Rossi.
Jorge Lorenzo also completed 25 laps in the brief window when the track was still dry and he was second on the timesheets.
The reigning World champion seems satisfied with the small improvement that the 2013 frame has given him, but he keeps repeating that he still needs to find 2 or 3 tenths to keep up with the Honda’s.
Lorenzo also denied, again, of any knowledge of when Yamaha will be implementing the seamless shift gearbox.
“We didn’t try any special items today, but just try to improve our current settings and make some modifications.
We need to improve the acceleration a little bit, but there’s no new pieces for the moment.
The difference from the first Sepang test is that the rain over the last few days has left the tarmac in a much worse condition,” commented Lorenzo.
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