Despite surgery two and a half months ago on a nagging shoulder injury that Valenino Rossi experienced while play riding on a motocross track, a test at Misano aboard an 1198 superbike confirmed today that Rossi still has problems riding with the repaired shoulder. With the first official MotoGP test rapidly approaching, this means Ducati’s development efforts will be hampered somewhat. Ducati wants Rossi riding at 100% while suggesting changes to the Desmosedici GP11, but he is not there yet. More details are in the press release below.
Misano Circuit: Seventy-three days after an operation to his right shoulder, Valentino Rossi returned to the track at Misano Adriatico aboard a Ducati 1198 Superbike. On November 14 at Cattolica’s Cervesi hospital, the Italian had undergone surgery on the supraspinatus tendon and the long head of biceps tendon, as well as cartilage in the Glenoid Labrum.
The day was sunny but chilly, with a maximum air temperature of 10º Centigrade (50º Fahrenheit) and a maximum track temperature of 15º C (59º F). Valentino arrived at the circuit at around 1:20 and met a team of Ducati technicians that included his own crew’s two engineers, Matteo Flamigni and Gabriele Conti, as well as Ducati Marlboro Team Manager Vittoriano Guareschi. A half-hour later, he turned the first laps aboard the 1198 to test the status of his shoulder which, though recovering nicely, is still quite painful, just a few days ahead of the first test in Malaysia with the Desmosedici GP11.
“First of all, thanks to Filippo (Preziosi) and to Ducati, who organized this test,” said Valentino Rossi. “Misano Circuit let us use the track on a day when Mattia (Pasini) was planning to ride in order to confirm his own condition. The track more or less confirmed what we expected: the shoulder is painful—especially under braking, when the front area hurts, where they stitched the tendon. Movement is stable enough, and we’re also doing not so bad with endurance, but apart from that, it hurts a lot and isn’t very strong. Let’s hope it gets a little better in these next few days before the test in Malaysia. Once we’re there, we’ll work with the riding position in an effort to make the most of the situation and collect important information with the Desmosedici, even though I’m not in top form. Today I did a total of 25 laps on the 1198 Superbike, which is sort of a ‘historic’ motorcycle for Ducati: beautiful and fast. I liked it!”
“Today I did a total of 25 laps on the 1198 Superbike, which is sort of a ‘historic’ motorcycle for Ducati: beautiful and fast. I liked it!” Spoken like a true Ducati employee! LOL
Ay, I think he’s genuinely having problems too. The shoulder is a lot more complex and prone to not healing properly than a straightforward leg break. Hopefully it’s just in need of more time – not been that long since surgery still.
though it was more for the marketing value of further associating him with the production line (an ex F010 clothed in SP markings, really?), i’m going to take the part of this press release regarding his health at face value. i think he’s actually having shoulder problems. he’s flesh and blood human. much like his leg, he would’ve been better off having broken and plated a collar bone. surgery on nerves, ligaments and tendons (and the subsequent healing time) is a whole different ballgame i’m afraid. personally, i can attest to both. bones vs. soft tissue are practically night and day. my prescription is a good diet (high in vitamin C), lots of rest, stay OFF bikes and stay IN the hyperbaric chamber.
“For the love of the Game” is one thing, but for Factory Ducati to allow any of it’s riders to go “play” in another high level race is highly unlikely. To risk a rider on his days off on a dirt bike is one thing, but it’s something else entirely to have Rossi go out on a bike he doesn’t know and risk a crash. Then one must consider that someone in the lower class will look up and say “Ooooo…here’s my chance to beat a GP rider…” and take him out thru stupid riding, and god forbid he does actually lose to Max? I can’t see a WSBK race with Rossi in it anytime soon. I hope I’m wrong, but can’t see it.
Mind games? YES. But I would think his competitors (Lorenzo, Stoner, Pedrosa and Spies) know this. Just look at what VR did last year even with a broken leg. He has to ride the 1198 because he can only ride the desmosedici at an OFFICIAL test. And maybe as GhostRider suggests on another website, that VR will do one of the World Superbike races in Italy. Wouldn’t that be fantastic, VR vs. Max, The REMATCH.
Play-riding on a motocross track? I know that professional athletes from the NFL or Major League Baseball are contractually disallowed from engaging in activities such as a game of touch football at a park picnic. About the riskiest sport that they are allowed to play (away from their job) if miniature golf. If they get hurt they risk the loss of pay and/or getting fined.
Are Rossi and other Moto GP riders covered by this kind of restriction? There is a lot invested in them.
This isn’t the first time a road-racer has been injured whilst riding offroad, Rossi being the most recent and certainly most famous. The excuse (probably true) is that it’s a good way to increase endurance and that riding on a slippery challenging surface translates to better bike control on the road. So while it’s controversial, it’s not like he was wakeboarding and got busted up.
Pretty sure Michael Jordan had a “for the love of the game” clause in his contract that allowed him to play whenever he wanted…
As far as the mind games go, Vale is the best… Did the same thing on the yamaha m1… Made his necessary improvements but led others to believe he was struggling the entire time… All he did was go out and win his first race out aboard his new bike…
So here’s my dilemma…sell Hondas for a living, but my two favorite riders are on the “other” red bikes…mind you rode a 1098S and 1000RR back to back last season and the Duc is a beautiful bike, but from a professional standpoint i feel pretty good about our products! Gonna be a great Moto GP season…can’t wait.
Yes, the 1098s and 1000rr have so much in common with their MotoGP brethren.
If I had a bad shoulder that was taking a long time to heal the last thing I would want is to race a bike at 200+ mph that is notorious for losing the front end. I’m hoping Rossi has a good, safe year but I’d be worried if it were me.
Yeah…..ok….Rossi snaps his leg basically in half last year. A little over a MONTH later at his first race back he runs fourth.
Anyone doubting Rossi is making a mistake.
Bought my first Ducati over the weekend.
Can’t wait to cheer on Team Red!
So the Rossi mind games begin already:) The Doctor is still the Doctor. I’m pretty sure he feels a lot better than he is letting on..Look out for Val in 011…
He’s Italian, passion, wine, and women. Yeah there are other fast guys but when it comes to turning on the real ravioli he’s the man! Theres still juice in the tank! Go like hell Mr. Rossi. Thank you for your passion for speed! Us slow guys appreciate it.
Berndog
Even injured Rossi is a threat for the podium at every race. Truly a great rider. I hope he improves enough to make it a truly interesting season in Moto GP. Can’t wait for the first race.