In-form MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi yesterday set the fastest pace during the first practice held at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, despite being saddled with a shoulder pain.
The race in Motegi last weekend saw a resurgent Rossi back on the podium after the close-fought battle with his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo of Spain in the final lap.
Rossi, a Yamaha rider who is fifth in overall standings, is determined to put on a strong display at his favorite Sepang track.
PHOTO: EPA
“I am curious to see how much pain I will have with the shoulder here at Sepang as it is a difficult track,” he said late on Thursday.
The seven-time world champion notched a best lap of 2 minutes and 02.724 seconds, 0.109 seconds faster than rival Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) of Italy, who is fourth in overall standings.
Dovizioso said he would go all out today to make it two pole positions in succession.
“I am happy with the first session at Sepang, because we were fast from the very beginning. Today the conditions were really extreme in terms of the heat,” he said in a statement.
Championship leader Lorenzo, who is hoping to seal the world title here, was third, 0.174 seconds behind teammate Rossi.
Spaniard Dani Pedrosa (Honda), the only rider who can still beat Lorenzo to the championship, will miss this weekend after fracturing his collarbone at Motegi.
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