Buzzin MotoGP

Valentino Rossi has been testing under floodlights at the Losail Circuit ahead of the first ever night race and has given his approval.

The former Champion Moto GP rider said “There has been a lot of curiosity about this night test and I have to say that I am quite satisfied.” He went on to say “I think they have made a great job with the lights and you can ride quite normally, as if it’s day.  The visibility is quite good so there is no danger for us”,  “It’s really no more difficult than riding in the day.  Maybe it would be better to move this night race to a period when the temperature is a little higher, because at the moment it’s very cold here.”

The first night race will take place on March 9th with a first Formula 1 night race taking place in Singapore in September.

Casey Stoner was the fastest man on the track on the opening day with a time of 1:55.330.  The current World Champion was lapping nearly seven-tenths of a second quicker than the Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo on the Yamaha and said “It’s definitely different to what we’re used to, It’s not better or worse, just different.”  “The most interesting thing is that with lower visibility, at least with regards to the imperfections on the track, you have to have more confidence than your instinct tells you to have, It’s not a bad start though.”

Rossi only managed ninth place due to his bike missing some grip and whilst he accelerated and sliding when he opened the throttle.

Here are the riders and bikes test times : Casey Stoner(Ducati Malboro), Jorge Lorenzo(Fiat Yamaha), Randy de Puniet(LCR Honda), Andrea Dovizioso(JiR Scot), James Toseland(Yamaha Tech3), Alex de Angelis(Honda Gresini), John Hopkins(Kawasaki), Dani Pedrosa(Repsol Honda), Valentino Rossi(Fiat Yamaha), Colin Edwards(Yamaha Tech3), Toni Elias(Alice Team), Nicky Hayden(Repsol Honda), Shinya Nakano(Honda Gresini), Chris Vermeulen(Rizla Suzuki), Loris Capirossi(Rizla Suzuki), Marco Milandri(Ducati Marlboro), Sylvain Guintoli(Alice Team), Anthony West(Kawasaki)