Valentino Rossi looks forward to Ducati progression

Ducati insurance customers have been assured that Valentino Rossi will become more competitive in the MotoGP series as the season goes on.

The Italian's long-awaited debut for the Ducati team resulted in a seventh-place finish for Rossi, who was unable to keep up with the Hondas and Yamahas.

However, considering the development of the Ducati is still ongoing, Rossi said he was pleased to get some good information about the machine's performance to keep them moving forward.

The rider was also hampered by his shoulder injury, which is slowly improving.

"I learned a lot in this test and in this race … In the near term, we'll work on the setup, we'll keep gathering experience, and I'll continue exercising and doing everything I can to recuperate physically," he said.

Rossi's teammate Nicky Hayden also endured a difficult race. His start was completely ruined by having to take evasive action to avoid Randy De Puniet as he lay stricken on the track, but he battled back to finish ninth.

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