Ducati 'must improve for Rossi'

Rossi completed his first two days of running with Ducati at Valencia this week. He was eighth-quickest on day one, but only 15th today as he evaluated the two engine options the team is considering for 2011.

Preziosi said the team was edging towards retaining the 'big bang' engine firing configuration used in 2010 rather than returning to the 2007-09 style 'screamer' after this week's back to back tests, and added that the priority was getting the bike right for Rossi.

"After these two days of tests we will go back to Ducati for a meeting, where we will decide which path to take between the two engines, the big bang and the screamer, although the information we have is pointing towards the former," said Preziosi.

"It will be a decision we will make by analysing the data in depth as well as planning the way forward around all the other things we learnt at the test.

"The objective is clearly to allow Valentino to ride like Valentino!

"We know we have to improve the bike in order to achieve this, especially the front end. He has given us some very precise information and now it is down to us to use it."

Preziosi played down the significance of Rossi's lowly position in the test results today.

"We would obviously have liked to give him the opportunity to go faster today but even though that wasn't the case he has impressed everybody over the last two days with the way he works, his calm approach and his positive attitude towards everything," he said.