Valentino Rossi's debut with Ducati lasted less spectacular. In the series premiere MotoGP 2011 in Losail Circuit, Qatar, on Sunday (20/3/11), "The Doctor", the start of a sequence of nine, could only finish in seventh position.
These results show how difficult Rossi to adapt to Desemosedici GP11 during the winter. In addition, her physical condition that has not fit 100 percent due to interference with the shoulder, took a negative contribution in the fight.
But on the other hand, Rossi claimed to find something positive in this initial series. He can give more specific instructions about what to do, in the face of intense competition this 2011 season.
Actually, at the beginning of the race, Rossi was kicked off. When the red lights, seven-times MotoGP world champion was immediately darted forward to occupy the second position before the first corner. But after that, 32-year-old rider from Italy began to experience difficulties, including when he was crucified by the Yamaha rider, Ben Spies, the struggle for sixth position.
Nevertheless, Rossi became the best rider for the Ducati team, because the finished seventh. Former Honda and Yamaha rider was also recorded fastest lap for his team, although 0.687 seconds adrift of the Repsol Honda rider, Casey Stoner, who is the winner.
"Of course we did not come here to finish in seventh position, but there are positive things from this race, starting at the time, because we also could go faster," said Rossi. "I made a good start, and it is a nice feeling because motor power is very helpful when gliding.
"Then I made a small mistake at the first corner, which makes me have to be pretty long in the back of Barbera for several laps. Nevertheless, I was close to Simoncelli and Dovizioso (positions 4 and 5).
"I can not beat them, because at the end of the race, I could not last long for the race as desired.
"I am not referring to the Ducati because last year, after my shoulder injury, I had similar problems in the last few races. Then, since the two motors are so different, then it means there is a problem for me, not just physically.
"Not only that. We also need to fix the motor because the others have already made a step forward rapidly since last year.
"I also have a lot of tests and learn in this race, and we've given very specific instructions about what to do for the future, so that could change in the second round this season, for example.
"In the near future, otherwise, we will do the setting, and continue to learn from experience and I will always exercise that can restore physical condition."
Meanwhile, Rossi's teammate, Nicky Hayden, admitted it is difficult to compete after nearly involved in an accident suffered by Randy de Puniet on the first lap. Although the survivors, but the United States rider has been left far from the rider-rider in front, so he must be satisfied to finish in ninth position.
"I did a bad start in this race, and then when de Puniet crash, I was barely involved and stop. I'm happy not melindasnya, but it is a bad thing, because I finally far behind the rider in front," said Hayden, a former world champion 2006.
"We have many things to do, but this is just the first series, and no one can say that we are not trying."