Rossi: Shoulder still not 100 percent better Valentino Rossi has admitted that his shoulder is yet to recover as well as he had anticipated, with it remaining injured after last year's Misano crash which also resulted in a broken leg.
The Italian makes a move from Yamaha to Ducati this year, which sees him replace 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner – who switches to Honda – and race alongside 2006 title winner Nicky Hayden.
“The Ducati is different from all the other bikes, it's a proper prototype,” Rossi commented during a press conference at this week's Wrooom skiing event in north-east Italy. “The concept is different from the Japanese factories. You need a bit of a 'dirtier' style to ride the Desmosedici.”
When talking about his shoulder, the 31-year-old from Urbino continued:
“The shoulder is not as good as I had hoped, we need more time. It's a race against time to be ready for the first race, mainly physically for me. I need five or six months (after surgery) to be 100 percent, so around April is the most likely time.”
Rossi added that Stoner and former team-mate Jorge Lorenzo are current 'favorites' for respective second titles this year.
Copyright 1999-2013 | AutoRacing1 is an
independent internet online publication and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed
by IndyCar, NASCAR, FIA, Sprint, or any other series sponsor.
This material may not be published, broadcast, or redistributed without
permission.
