Rossi finds solution for braking problem in Catalunya test

Factory Yamaha's Valentino Rossi yesterday found a solution to the braking problem that has plagued him all season with a change to his fork settings at the Catalunya MotoGP test.

Factory Yamaha's Valentino Rossi yesterday found a solution to the braking problem that has plagued him all season with a change to his fork settings at the Catalunya MotoGP test.

Although it wasn't revealed what the change was, The Doctor was able to put in a run of high 1'42s laps which was half second faster than his race pace on Sunday but then a crash put paid to work he had planned on another, far more radical change to the YZR-M1's weight distribution.

"We modify the setting of the fork for help me stop the bike in a better way. I also try a light time attack without risk to me and we stay constant in the high 1'42s which was good. We also had an interesting programme for the afternoon to try and different, different setting with weight distribution but unfortunately I crash. I don't understand why. I take one bump but I don't expect, also maybe because I don't push a lot," said Rossi, speaking at Catalunya.

"I lost one hour and a half, and I come back on the track because we have a rear tyre for Bridgestone to try and is was very good. It is important to have a good hard compound tyre."

Rossi also revealed that he has twice tried a setup closer to Jorge Lorenzo's which makes the bike longer and therefore slightly more stable but says that removes the feel he needs in corner entry. 

"I try Saturday and I try today. Saturday was not so bad but I don't like. I have a problem riding the long style of bike with corner entry feel with more my setting I feel comfortable." 

By David Miller

Image by Yamaha Racing