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Shunt cost Rossi prototype 2018 Yamaha engine mileage

Valentino Rossi hopes he will get another opportunity to trial the Yamaha prototype 2018 MotoGP engine in the Valencia test, having suffered a huge crash after using it for just two laps.

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing

Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Maverick Viñales, Yamaha Factory Racing, Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing

Rossi went off at the Turn 10 right-hander two hours into the first day of post-season testing, with the high-speed shunt leaving his bike – a 2016 chassis with a development engine – in pieces.

The Italian himself was unaffected by the crash, logging a total of 64 laps on the day and finishing fourth, three tenths off pace-setting works teammate Maverick Vinales.- who also got to try the new engine.

Rossi admitted, however, that getting mileage on the prototype engine was “first priority” - and was hopeful he will get to run it again on the second and final day of testing on Wednesday.

“The first priority was the engine, that is the first prototype of the 2018 engine, but unfortunately I did two lap and I crash.

“I hope that they are able to fix and we can use another time the engine tomorrow, so I can understand.

“Crash [was] in the fast right, like always, but for me no problem, because [I] just slide, and the bike damaged.”

Asked whether the engine contributed to the crash, Rossi said: “No, no, no, Turn 10, maybe cold tyre.

“I was already two and a half lap so I push, lose the front, I don't know if I was a little bit out of the line or [the tyre] was cold, I don't know.”

Having reverted, alongside teammate Vinales, to the 2016 chassis for the final race of the season in Valencia, Rossi continued to work on the older specification in the test.

“The day was not so bad, we continue to work, we have a bit more time to work on the 2016 chassis and I feel good, I feel strong,” he said.

“The day was quite positive because I have good pace, and also with new tyres I can make a good laptime, I am in the P4, not so far from the top.

“And also the feeling with the bike is quite positive, we are able to find the right balance, but the problem is like we know, we have some problem of rear tyre degradation.

“I mean, the '16 [bike] is not enough, we need to work, but I confirm that I am able to go faster with old bike.”

Additional reporting by Oriol Puigdemont

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