Valentino Rossi has confirmed that Movistar Yamaha will run the updated chassis and swingarm used in the Brno test at Silverstone tomorrow. The Japanese squad tested the upgrades on the Monday following the Czech GP with Jorge Lorenzo finishing fastest, just ahead of Rossi on the second YZR-M1.
With the early signs positive, Rossi will test the new parts again during free practice before deciding whether to persist with them in the remainder of the weekend.
“The Monday test at Brno was very positive”, he commented. “I felt good with the bike and I had good pace. We have some new stuff. We have a different swingarm and a different chassis and in Brno I had a good feeling but we need to confirm tomorrow and I will try during the practice to find out if the reality is also better here in Silverstone”.
Although he tasted victory here in wet conditions twelve months ago, Rossi acknowledges that Lorenzo and Marc Marquez have historically been the class of the field in dry conditions here and is expecting the pair to prove difficult to beat again this weekend.
“This is one of the longest, fastest and most difficult tracks of the season. Last year, in the dry conditions, I was not so bad but Marquez and Lorenzo were a little bit faster than me so we have to continue to improve to try and understand the small secrets and tricks of the track and try to be stronger in all conditions”.