MotoGP Indy - Rossi confirms seamless gearbox test

Valentino Rossi has confirmed he tested a seamless-shift gearbox in the YZR-M1 at Brno but reckon it isn't ready to race and neither will be using it at the Indianapolis MotoGP round.

Valentino Rossi has confirmed he tested a seamless-shift gearbox in the YZR-M1 at Brno but reckon it isn't ready to race and neither will be using it at the Indianapolis MotoGP round.

The Italian spent two days evaluating the system, which will more than likely work along the same lines as the technology employed by Honda and Ducati.

"We tried the new gearbox in Brno and the feeling was very, very good. We like a lot but, you know, is there is still a lot of work to do. It is still not ready. I don't know when it is possible use, I hope is as soon as possible," said Rossi, speaking at Indianapolis.

"For me, in one lap, it doesn't change a lot about the laptime. We try to make some comparison, a lot of people speak about two-tenths for a lap but I think is less. The big improvement is in the 20 or 30 laps because the bike become a lot more easy to ride, more stable in acceleration but also more stable in braking.

"For me it is better for less stress on the tyres and it is also very good for the riders because the bike become more easy to bring at the limit and more difficult to make mistakes which is important over race distance.

"Me and Jorge have push a lot to have it and I think it will be a bad feeling to come back to the normal one. The Japanese say the gearbox is a critical point. I hope it comes in this season."

By David Miller

Image by Bonnie Lane