Rossi shines at heatwave-hit Catalunya

Valentino Rossi gave his faltering season the urgent kickstart it needed on Friday when he topped the times in practice for Sunday’s Catalunya Grand Prix.

With track temperatures soaring towards the 50-degree mark, the nine-time world champion clocked 1min 42.297sec with Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo in second at 0.049sec while world championship leader Dani Pedrosa was back in third, 0.148sec off the pace.

After a disastrous home race in Mugello that saw him crash out on the first lap after a collision, Rossi hit back today as the Italian eyed becoming the most successful rider at the Montmelo track in the history of the sport.

He won once in the 125cc series in 1997, then claimed 250cc wins in 1998 and 1999, one 500cc victory in 2001 and five MotoGP victories in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2009.

“I love this track; it is one of the best. The M1 (bike) is always great here in Catalunya,” said Rossi.

“It is just Friday but I am very happy to be in front, although we have still a lot of work to do. We have to decide which tyre to use and we have some corners and sections where we have to improve for tomorrow. Anyway, it is great to be back on top.”

Reigning world champion Lorenzo had been fastest in the morning session in front of his home crowd, 0.023secs ahead of compatriot Pedrosa.

“We started very well but we tried two settings that didn’t work so well. We stayed with the same tyres for the whole practice to understand why they are dropping in this weather so we could solve this problem that I think all the riders are having,” said Lorenzo.

“We have to try and improve the bike in order to let me have more confidence, then I can stay in the middle of the 42 second mark which is my target.

“We don’t focus so much on the classification because not all the riders kept on the same tyres during the practice, a new tyre can give you half a second or more. We have to trust the pace and the pace is good, one of the best of the grid.”

Lorenzo, the winner in Italy in the last race, has an unbroken four-year podium run at Montmelo.

The Mallorcan was second in 2009 and 2011 and claims two premier class victories, 2010 and 2012. Lorenzo also has one 250cc win at the track in 2007.