Rossi turns 39 as MotoGP tests in Thailand

[rooster59]

Rossi turns 39 as MotoGP tests in Thailand

 

Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi of Italy looks on before the third qualifying session ahead of the Valencia Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo racetrack in Cheste near Valencia, Spain, November 7, 2015. REUTERS/Heino Kalis Picture Supplied by Action Images

 

(Reuters) - Valentino Rossi celebrated his 39th birthday on the test track on Friday with MotoGP having a first taste of Thailand's Chang International Circuit that will make its debut on the calendar this year.

 

The Italian great, a nine times world champion, completed 74 laps of the Buriram layout and ended the day as the fastest Yamaha rider and eighth overall.

 

"The last three or four years, I think I always rode the M1 (bike) on my birthday," said Rossi, whose contract runs out at the end of this year but has shown no signs of wanting to retire.

 

"From one point of view it's a bit difficult, because you have to work, but from another point of view this is the best way to spend my birthday."

 

LCR Honda's British rider Cal Crutchlow was fastest in the heat, despite a crash, with Suzuki's Spanish rider Alex Rins second and reigning world champion Marc Marquez third on a factory Honda.

 

"It seemed quite fast to me when I lapped it on a scooter yesterday, but today riding my bike, I realized it was slower than I was expecting, with many second or third-gear corners," Marquez said of the layout.

 

"Still, there are some hard acceleration and braking points, and it will probably be challenging to manage tyre life, so we’ll work on that as well."

 

Thailand hosts the 15th round of the season in October. The first race is in Qatar on March 18.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-02-17

[Media1]

Yes a tight circuit

[jaiyen]

Are there enough hotels in Buriram to accommodate the massive crowd that TAT will no doubt say will be going ?  I doubt it from what I have seen.  Cant wait to see the convoy of trucks coming from Bangkok with all the equipment.  Gonna be a logistical nightmare !

[thaiguzzi]

Happy Birthday Val !

[spidermike007]

This man is not human. There is a chance he came from another planet, and settled on earth, which gives him an unfair advantage on the track. He is a superman. What he has accomplished, and continues to accomplish in Moto GP, the pinnacle of bike racing, is astonishing. Hope the Moto GP goes well. Having a world class track and an event like this in Thailand is beyond amazing. Wish I could have attended. Been to Moto GP events before. They are amazing.

 

I just hope and pray that they go not get rid of the bike girls, like the super weak kneed half men at F1 have just done. What a stupid move. 

[soihok]

Tickets purchased

Selling fast, the Rossi stand is sold out already. 

Riding there for race day  from home in Korat.

Will be fun.