MOTOGP: Rossi’s Ducati Test Given Green Light

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MOTOGP: Rossi’s Ducati Test Given Green Light
Yamaha will allow Valentino Rossi to test the Desmosedici immediately following the conclusion of the 2010 season.
Colin Young | Posted October 17, 2010 Phillip Island (AUS)

Valentino Rossi will have his first ride on a Ducati in Valencia two days after the final race of the season next month.

Yamaha has finally relented and provided a contract release to Rossi to allow the seven-time MotoGP world champion to begin his Ducati career early. Rossi received the news on the Saturday night of the Australian Grand Prix from Yamaha boss Masao Furusawa.

Rossi had been waiting anxiously for the news since his high-profile move to Ducati for 2011 was announced at Brno in August.

The Italian has won four world championships and 46 GPs with Yamaha and had always claimed that his special relationship deserved the reward of an early release.

“I am so happy because last night I spoke with Mr Furusawa and he said to me that Yamaha allowed me to try the Ducati after Valencia," Rossi said after finishing third in the Australian GP at Phillip Island. "I think it is very fair for Yamaha to yes."

The decision will come as good news to Ducati who had feared that Rossi would not able to begin testing the GP11 prototype until the 2011 test season opens in Malaysia next February.

Ducati has provided an early release to the departing Casey Stoner to test for Honda in November at Valencia.